Apple has on Monday the 24th of October, 2022 rolled out new software updates (iOS 16.1, iPad OS 16.1, and macOS Ventura) to its millions of users around the world.
The iPhone maker also introduced new App Store rulesfashioned to limit features unlocked through Non-fungible-tokens (NFTs), while it mandates apps to make use of its payment method to purchase “boosts” for posts on social media.
The American multinational announced that apps would be allowed to list, mint, and transfer, and let users view their own NFTs but the owners of the Non-Fungible Tokens would be restricted from unlocking more features within the app. It added that the apps can allow users browse through other collections but they must not show external links, buttons, or call to action to purchase NFTs. Apple however noted that users can only purchase NFTs through its in-app payment system.
Additionally, Apple is prohibiting the use of other mechanisms like as QR codes or cryptocurrencies to give special access to users by these apps.
“Apps may not use their own mechanisms to unlock content or functionality, such as license keys, augmented reality markers, QR codes, cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency wallets, etc,” it said.
On Cryptocurrency exchanges, Apple now mandates users to have “appropriate licensing and permissions to provide a cryptocurrency exchange” in all regions they operate in, effectively giving it the power to yank off a crypto exchange from a local App Store if it deems the app to be illegal for that region.
The new App Store rules also posited that marketers would not need to use in-app purchases to manage and purchase campaigns across different media types like TV, apps, and outdoors, adding that they will have to use Apple’s in-app purchase system to buy boosts for social media posts, but noted that this change would only apply to apps offering in-app tools for promoting posts.
The implication of Apple new rules on social media boosts might be a hike in boost fees as Apple would definitely be taken a cut out of those sales, and in the process have an impact oncompanies like Meta, TikTok, and Tinder, which offer in-app boosts.
Other changes to the Apple rules include
• The objectionable content section will have new concepts that will maximize profit from current events like “violent conflicts, terrorist attacks, and epidemics” .
• The objectionable content section now has the addition of‘hookup’ apps or apps “that may include pornography or be used to facilitate prostitution or human trafficking and exploitation” .
• The prohibition of unauthorized usage of music from iTunes or Apple Music as a soundtrack for a game or as background music to a video or a picture collage by apps.
• Apple’s support framework must be used by Matter IoTstandard supported smart home apps to initiate pings.
• Full access to Apple Store reviewers must be provided by Developers with the use of an active demo account or demo mode so they can test account-based functionalities.
Apple has through these new rules introduced new possible ways to earn money with the use of the App Store., but the new ones also elicited concerns on the company’s monopolistic and anti-competitive practices, together with its tight-fistedcontrol over how apps conduct their business on the App store.
Ayoola Faseyi, an Abuja based Journalist with interest in Technology and Politics. He is a versatile writer with articles in many renowned News Journals. He is the Co-Founder of media brand, The Vent Republic.
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