SAN FRANCISCO – Apple yesterday said it will extend through June 30 next year a waiver on app fees for paid events, such as tutoring and fitness classes, citing the coronavirus pandemic.
The move is aimed at helping pandemic-hit instructors and performers continue using iPhone apps for virtual classes and events at no cost.
Apple initially agreed to a waiver until next month, amid concerns raised by Facebook and others seeking to help people whose in-person classes and events have been cancelled due to the global health emergency.
“As the world fights Covid-19, we recognise that adapting experiences from in-person to digital continues to be a top priority,” said the tech titan on its developer website.
Apple said the move affects the “in-app purchase” requirement for these services, and that it chose to give those affected more time to adapt in light of the pandemic.
Facebook earlier this year asked Apple to skip its usual 30% cut of transactions in mobile apps prior to enabling the social platform’s streaming application to be used to create, promote and host paid events, from concerts and theatrical performances to yoga classes and cooking lessons.
The move comes amid increasing scrutiny of App Store fees, which are set at 30% in most cases, by developers and antitrust enforcers who argue that Apple is abusing its dominance of the marketplace.
The iPhone manufacturer last week said developers who make less than US$1 million (RM4 million) from selling apps on its store will see Apple’s revenue bite cut to 15%. – AFP, November 24, 2020
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