Apple will temporarily dispense with the in-app purchase stipulation for digital group and event applications until June.
In a move that'll please many digital event organizers, Apple has decided to extend its pandemic-era policy on in-app purchases for online group and event apps on iOS. Originally set to end in December 2021, this leniency now extends until June 2022.
Apple's decision comes amid the ongoing pandemic, with surging cases causing a resurgence in the need for virtual events. In a company blog post, Apple justified the extension, stating, "Given the recent resurgence of COVID and its continued impact on in-person services, we’ve extended the most recent deadline to June 30, 2022."
This policy change allows these apps to bypass Apple's standard 15-30% cut on in-app purchases, providing much-needed relief during these challenging times. It's worth noting that this leeway is not the first time Apple has provided relief to developers. In September 2020, in response to the pandemic, Apple initially waived its App Store commission requirement for certain apps offering person-to-person services.
However, the actual deadline for the current extension remains undisclosed. While the extension is beneficial for digital event organizers, it's also a stark reminder of the ongoing pandemic's impact. The new deadline provides a temporary reprieve for businesses that have shifted their events online due to lockdowns and rising COVID-19 cases.
Looking deeper into the situation, federal regulators and developers have criticized Apple for charging standard commission fees during the pandemic, a move seen as profiting from struggling businesses' need to shift to virtual offerings. Apple, in response, fine-tuned its guidelines and expanded the exemption to group event apps a few months later.
Despite ongoing scrutiny, Apple continues to be a major player in the digital marketplace. Its policies and requirements have evoked varying responses from developers, users, and regulators. Regardless of the criticism, Apple's extension of the in-app purchase policy for group and event apps demonstrates its commitment to supporting businesses during these challenging times.
The extension of Apple's leniency on in-app purchases for online event apps is particularly relevant in the context of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This policy change, which was originally scheduled to end in December 2021, now continues until June 2022. This tech giant's decision to extend the exemptions on its standard 15-30% cut on in-app purchases is a significant relief for digital event organizers using apps. Furthermore, this isn't Apple's first gesture of support during the pandemic; in September 2020, they waived their App Store commission requirement for certain apps offering person-to-person services.