In a controversial move that has ignited fury among iPhone and iPad users, tech giant Apple is facing backlash for introducing transaction fees that threaten to increase costs for app enthusiasts.
This development comes on the heels of a recent US court order demanding Apple to amend its rules regarding the infamous 'Apple tax' – a hefty 30 percent levy on subscriptions and in-app purchases.
While the court mandated that Apple allow app developers to provide alternative payment methods outside the company's ecosystem, recent revelations from court documents expose Apple's attempt to maintain its revenue stream.
The new policy introduces a 27 percent commission on purchases, leading to concerns that consumers may end up paying even more for subscriptions to popular apps such as Audible and X.
Although the impact of this change is currently limited to App Store users in the United States, apprehensions are rising that a similar fee structure could be introduced in the United Kingdom.
Urgent calls are now being made for government intervention, with ministers being urged to enact legislation through the tech watchdog Digital Markets Unit to prevent such fees from taking root on British soil.
Spotify, a vocal critic of Apple's business practices, has condemned the move, stating, "The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill must put an end to this false posturing, which is essentially a recreation of Apple's fees." The music streaming giant, along with other industry players, has long argued against what they perceive as Apple's monopolistic control over its App Store.
It is noteworthy that Apple's 'Apple tax' does not extend to free apps or those providing 'tangible services,' such as Deliveroo or Uber. Critics argue that such exemptions create an uneven playing field and hinder fair competition within the app market.
