BERLIN, GERMANY – JANUARY 20: The logo of the instant messaging service Telegram is seen on a smartphone on January 20, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)
Messaging app, Telegram has removed the option that allows users on iOS create pay-to view posts in a major shakeup on the platform.
The removal is coming on the heels of Apple’s strict guidelines for it’s App Store.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, in a post on Telegram averred that creators on the platform have designed a method of using third-party payment or donation bots to sell access to some posts on their channels, a process that Apple did not approve of. He said that Apple was “not happy with content creators monetizing their efforts without paying a 30 percent tax to Apple” The iOS maker had prohibited developers from using third-party payment processors in their apps as it would affect the 30 percent commission it charges on in-app purchases.
Telegram on it’s part has debunked claims that it is testing a paid post feature and in a statement to 9to5Mac said users have been taking advantage of third-party payment bots to monetise posts.
CEO Durov was full of scathing words for Apple when he said:
“This is just another example of how a trillion-dollar monopoly abuses its market dominance at the expense of millions of users who are trying to monetize their own content”.
He further called on the “regulators in the EU, India and elsewhere start taking action before Apple destroys more dreams and crushes more entrepreneurs with a tax that is higher than any government-levied VAT [value-added tax].”
This would not be the first time the Telegram hierarchy and Apple would be having an acrimonious relationship. It would be recalled that Durov had August this year accused Apple of being responsible for delaying one of it’s updates for weeks. This was after Apple’s antagonism to Telegram’s new Telemoji that gives fun animations to standard emojis.
Recently, Telegram debuted its $4.99 per month Premium subscription that allows users access to exclusive features, offering a $1 discount to users who purchase it via it’s desktop sites. It proceeded to explain that further by throwing a jibe at Apple and Google payment plans when it said the discount is was possible because “the payments are not subject to fees from Apple or Google”.
Apple has in recent times been criticised by brands for it’s alleged monopolistic tendencies and it’s crazy payment cuts.
Streaming platform, Spotify had on Wednesday berated Apple for making it difficult for it to sell audio books on it’s app. The IPhone maker later rejected the update in it’s entirety, forcing Spotify to yank off audiobook purchases from its iOS app.
Meta Inc, the company that houses Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram also accused Apple of “undercutting others in the digital economy” after Apple mandated Meta to give it a 30 percent return anytime a user pays to boost their posts on Instagram and Facebook.
The criticism of Apple by several companies over its payment cuts may yet brew another litigation war but maybe not just yet.
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.
