A new set of developers comprising Meta, Microsoft, X, and more have today asked a federal court to reject new App Store fees that Apple plans to impose for purchases directed to be processed externally in what is known as anti-steering (via Bloomberg).
The new round of developers includes big names like Meta, Microsoft, X, and the Match Group behind popular dating apps like Tinder. The developers are banding together to demand that Apple make changes to the fees it plans to charge developers who direct users to complete purchases outside the App Store. Beyond what these companies argue as high fees, they are also asking the court that Apple relax more of its changes to its anti-steering policies, which a judge earlier deemed as illegal during Apple’s multiyear legal feud with Epic Games.
Apple has long maintained that developers aren’t allowed to redirect users to complete purchases outside apps and thus avoid the company’s App Store commission. This practice, known as anti-steering, was deemed illegal during the company’s trial with Epic Games. As part of Apple’s compliance, developers are now allowed to place a single link within their apps that directs users to complete purchases externally. However, developers cannot point out that external purchases are cheaper than in-app ones, and Apple still collects a fee between 12 and 27 percent on all external payments.
Developers are asking to reverse these changes, which if successful should allow them to entice users to complete purchases outside the App Store by promoting lower prices. Epic Games has separately filed a contempt of court claim against Apple for its new anti-steering policies last week, claiming that Apple is deliberately making it unfeasible for developers to take advantage of the policy changes.
On the other hand, Apple has maintained that it’s fully complying with the court’s earlier stipulations by giving developers more choices to inform users on how they can pay for in-app purchases within the App Store’s system or externally on the web. The court will now have to decide whether the developers’ demands are legitimate, which could force Apple to make further anti-steering changes that satisfy the earlier injunction.
