Apple Stopped Facebook From Informing Users About App Store’s 30% Commission Saying That This Information Is ‘Irrelevant’

Amid the ongoing battle between Apple and Fortnite developer Epic Games over the issue of 30% commission charged by Apple on App Store, it seems that Apple even stopped Facebook from informing users about the 30% commission charged by Apple. Earlier this month, the social media giant revealed how Apple was hurting small businesses by charging this 30% fees for paid live streaming on Facebook’s platform. Facebook rolled out the feature amidst the coronavirus pandemic to help businesses, and the social media giant also noted that it was not taking any cut from the transaction to help those small businesses.

On Thursday, Facebook told Reuter that Apple forced Facebook to remove the message informing users about the 30% cut of sales to the new tool to users. According to Facebook, Apple cited an App Store rule that prevents developers from displaying ‘irrelevant’ information. The social media platform had earlier shown its plans to roll out a feature would allow influencers and business to hold online events on the platform with paid entry. App Store requires in-app purchases to use the payments system of Apple, which gives it a 30% cut of all sales made. The social media platform asked Apple to drop this 30% commission fee to make sure that all the revenue goes to the organizer. However, Apple rejected Facebook’s request.

Facebook also intended to include a similar message on the Android version of the Facebook app that reads that Facebook does not take a fee from this purchase. However, this message was not present on the Android version of the app downloaded via Google Play Store.

In a statement to Reuters, the social media giant said that now more than ever, they need an option to help users understand where the money they intend for businesses actually goes. The company added that Apple rejected Facebook’s transparency notice, however, Facebook is still working to make that information available within the Facebook app experience.

Now, Facebook has joined other developers such as Epic Games in publicly criticizing the commissions charged by Apple App Store. Epic Games is suing Apple on antitrust allegation over the commission fees, and Microsoft and Spotify are also supporting Epic Games in this battle. It is noteworthy that Apple reduced the commission to 15% to get the Amazon Prime Video app on its App Store. It could also do the same for small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.


Photo: SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty

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