Netflix, Spotify and other similar services can now add a link in their iOS apps that direct users to their own websites for payment and account management. Apple now allowed Developers of “reader” apps to link to a website they maintain. The tech giant defines reader apps as applications that “deliver pre-purchased content or content subscriptions for digital magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music and video.”
Apple first announced last year that it would allow certain media services to add in-app links as part of a deal with the Japan Fair Trade Commission. The company agreed to the provision because these apps “do not offer in-app digital goods and services for purchase” anyway. Although the change was the result of JFTC’s investigation, Apple will apply the new policy to all reader apps around the world. However, developers must first request access to the External Link Account Entitlement program before being allowed to add in-app links. While the change gives developers a way to save Apple a 15 to 30 percent cut, the company will continue to charge commissions on purchases made within the app itself, if the service offers them.
Google also recently launched a pilot program to test third-party billing systems in Android, allowing users to pay for services using either their own payment system or the developer’s. Spotify, one of the pilot apps, will show subscribers Google’s and its own billing system side-by-side starting later this year. Google still gets a cut even if the user chooses the service’s own billing system, but it will be smaller than the 15 percent commission the tech giant typically gets for subscriptions.
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