Apple on Wednesday announced an update coming to the App Store that closes an investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC). The update will allow developers of “reader” apps like Netflix to include an in-app link to their website for users to set up or manage an account. (Reader apps are those that allow users to browse previously purchased content or content subscriptions for digital magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video.)
Apple will apply this change globally to all reader apps on the store. Apple has agreed to let reader apps share a single link to their website for “account management” purposes.
“Trust on the App Store is everything to us. The focus of the App Store is always to create a safe and secure experience for users, while helping them find and use great apps on the devices they love,” said Phil Schiller, Apple Fellow who oversees the App Store. “We have great respect for the Japan Fair Trade Commission and appreciate the work we’ve done together, which will help developers of reader apps make it easier for users to set up and manage their apps and services, while protecting their privacy and maintaining their trust.”
Before the change goes into effect in early 2022, Apple will update its guidelines and review process to make sure users of reader apps continue to have a safe experience on the App Store. While in-app purchases through the App Store commerce system remain the safest and most trusted payment methods for users, Apple will also help developers of reader apps protect users when they link them to an external website to make purchases.
“Trust on the App Store is everything to us. The focus of the App Store is always to create a safe and secure experience for users while helping them find and use great apps on the devices they love,” said Phil Schiller, Apple Fellow who oversees the App Store. “We have great respect for the Japan Fair Trade Commission and appreciate the work we’ve done together, which will help developers of reader apps make it easier for users to set up and manage their apps and services while protecting their privacy and maintaining their trust.”
The “reader” app change should turn out to be a significant victory for developers, as it allows apps to provide an in-app link to a website where a purchase can be made outside of the App Store. This addresses a major issue that developers of apps like Spotify have complained about. Once it is put into place in 2022, developers will be able to offer non-App Store signups to avoid paying Apple’s 15 to 30% cut of the action.