Apple Discussed 'Punitive Measures' Against Netflix for Dropping In-App Purchases

[I7guy]

Huh? Android doesn't try to force companies to offer in-app subscriptions. Doesn't seem to stop Apple.

The question is if netflix dropped their app from AT would it hurt netflix or be Amazons' gain? It could work in Amazons' favor and hence dropping the netflix app from AT is something that probably wouldn't be done. That Apple has IAP and Android doesn't isn't relevant.

 

[DotCom2]

Thank you. Geez I wonder why everyone is having a hard time comprehending this?

The “Why does Netflix get away with it while Epic can’t” question always boggles my mind.

Apple has already told Epic they can charge people on their company’s website and Apple will be ok with it; you just can’t charge through the app without the tax.

You wonder?
It’s because common sense has gone out the window!

 

[repoman016]

"We do not retaliate or bully people. It’s strongly against our company culture.” - Tim Cook.
So that was a lie under oath.

When it comes to big tech, I would be more surprised if people were caught telling the truth.

 

[m11rphy]

If you work extra hard one year and earn a bonus how much do you need to hand over to your landlord?

how much extra do you give the government?

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Should Netflix get a cut from, say, sales proceeds of the Apple TV box? Pretty sure they would sell far less if Netflix wasn't on it.

Yes, IF Netflix is able to negotiate that in their terms of their agreement with Apple. It works both ways. It works ALL ways. Contract lawyers get paid well to ensure they’re able to obtain as much as they feel is possible from their agreement.

 

[m11rphy]

It's like you don't know that MacOS exists. Or do you just believe that it's riddled with malware and fraud? Not to mention the countless scam apps that already exist on the App Store which Apple is slow to remove because they generate a lot of revenue.

Apple already sells devices that allow you to install software from outside of its App Store. This is a solved problem.

We all know MacOS exists it has for over 30 years, what people don't seem to understand is apple created something different with iOS it not designed to work like MacOS. What you people seem to want is an iPhone that runs MacOS but apple doesn't want to create that and judging by the success of windows mobile, consumers don't want that a a tradition os on their phones either

 

[Rigby]

Yeah, Protonmail was trying some attention grabbing methods, too.

They didn't do anything before Apple started pressuring them.

It's one thing to not allow apps to offer links to external sign-up options. It's another to force them to offer in-app subscriptions. That were not the original rules. Apple suddenly decided to change them unilaterally after the app had been on the app store for years without issues.

 

[no_idea]

Wow…Apple hit a new low on this one

 

[Eorlas]

And here you go.. Apple has no right to ask this, I think Epic Games deserve to win! to stop some of the shady stuff apple is doing.

strong disagree. if there is a victory to be had in this subject, it should not be awarded to epic. their methods of approaching this issue make them a much, much worse company IMO.

 

[I7guy]

They didn't do anything before Apple started pressuring them.

It's one thing to not allow apps to offer links to external sign-up options. It's another to force them to offer in-app subscriptions. That were not the original rules. Apple suddenly decided to change them unilaterally after the app had been on the app store for years without issues.

They weren’t forced to use IAP.

 

[boss.king]

We all know MacOS exists it has for over 30 years, what people don't seem to understand is apple created something different with iOS it not designed to work like MacOS. What you people seem to want is an iPhone that runs MacOS but apple doesn't want to create that and judging by the success of windows mobile, consumers don't want that a a tradition os on their phones either

Lol, I think you're being a little dramatic. Installing apps from a source other than the App Store is not suddenly going to make iOS into MacOS. Most people wouldn't need to even know it exists.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

They didn't do anything before Apple started pressuring them.

It's one thing to not allow apps to offer links to external sign-up options. It's another to force them to offer in-app subscriptions. That were not the original rules. Apple suddenly decided to change them unilaterally after the app had been on the app store for years without issues.

From MacRumors:
Similar to the situations with HEY and Wordpress earlier this year, ProtonMail had a mention of paid plans in the app, which prompted Apple to ask for the same subscription options to be offered via in-app purchase.

If the mention of paid plans hadn’t been there, there wouldn’t have been an issue. All they had to do was go the Netflix route and remove the mention of the paid plans… done and done. Why didn’t they want to remove those? I can’t say.

 

[Rigby]

They weren’t forced to use IAP.

I will quote the article I linked above:

"But also, one app developer revealed to Congress that it — just like WordPress — had been forced to monetize a largely free app. That developer testified that Apple had demanded in-app purchases (IAP), even though Apple had approved its app without them two years earlier — and that when the dev dared send an email to customers notifying them of the change, Apple threatened to remove the app and blocked all updates.

That developer was ProtonMail [...]"

 

[jimbobb24]

A single executive asking others if they wanted to do something indicates nothing.

If this isn’t sarcasm you clearly know nothing of the corporate world to think Apple is even in the top 1000.

They aren’t even in the right category of business to be among the worst. (pharmaceuticals, insurance, banks, defense contractors etc…)

Pharmaceuticals have smaller margins than Apple.

The whole idea of companies and greed is weird anyway. All companies want to maximize profits. Who is more greedy than who is a silly question no one can evaluate. The hardware tech companies certainly have less laws and politicians in their pockets though.

 

[Radeon85]

I'm with Netflix on this, I can understand Apple taking a 15/30% cut for one off transactions but Apple does not deserve 30% of Netflix subscription money just for signing up, that has nothing to do with Apple.

Apple is acting like mobsters here, if you want to stay in business we'll take a regular 30% of your money.

Can you imagine if Apple took a 30% cut of all shopping app transactions like Amazon, there would be a **** storm.

 

[jetrois]

We all know MacOS exists it has for over 30 years, what people don't seem to understand is apple created something different with iOS it not designed to work like MacOS. What you people seem to want is an iPhone that runs MacOS but apple doesn't want to create that and judging by the success of windows mobile, consumers don't want that a a tradition os on their phones either

its the same software bruh the only diffrence is ios uses appkit mostly as a layer on top of the os

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

Just because they didn’t do it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be opened up for discussion. Regardless of your view, it’s messed up that they were even considering punishing them. That’s going too far.

Last time I checked Apple is a for profit business. I work in IT for med-Large retail chain. This kind of stuff happens all the time. It’s called business.

 

[w5jck]

The result is a little bit of inconvenience in that you have to open a web browser to sign up. There are a lot of apps which require that for their service, and some require any subsequent setting option changes to be done via a web browser. No big deal for me. Once you have signed up and got the option settings like you want them, most of my streaming apps like Netflix simply ask if you want to activate the app via entering the sign-in info or by using the web or a device that already has the app setup on it. It takes hardly any extra time. I don’t blame Netflix and other companies from thumbing their noses at Apple and its extortion methods.

 

[jimbobb24]

yes, all this shows is that Netflix took a decision not to use in app purchases to save 30% and obtain a better churn rate, they didn't kick up a fuss and issue proceedings, why can't Epic do same, if you don't like it then don't use it no one is forcing you to?

Yes epic has a clear path on this that Netflix already followed.

 

[Brandon916]

We all know MacOS exists it has for over 30 years, what people don't seem to understand is apple created something different with iOS it not designed to work like MacOS. What you people seem to want is an iPhone that runs MacOS but apple doesn't want to create that and judging by the success of windows mobile, consumers don't want that a a tradition os on their phones either

Who are these consumers you are talking about? I would love to have another app store on Apple's platform. If Epic was allowed their own app store on Apple platform, consumers would get discount on apps like the Epic store. Competition is always a win win for consumers. ALWAYS!

 

[m11rphy]

Lol, I think you're being a little dramatic. Installing apps from a source other than the App Store is not suddenly going to make iOS into MacOS. Most people wouldn't need to even know it exists.

No the point is apple designed iOS to be work in a certain way and that was web apps, they then added the App Store and a billion people bought iOS devices. Accept iOS for what it is, it doesn't need to change because a few people want it to and a few companies want it to in order to make more money not make things better for us iOS users. I find it really annoying when I want an app for my Mac and it aint on the Mac App Store. the last thing we need is developers removing their apps from the iOS store and then us iOS user need to access multiple stores because that's what will happen

 

[zorinlynx]

I'm still on IAP for Netflix. I'm only paying $12.99 a month too for the 2 screens, the last $1 increase hasn't hit me yet.

Same here. I wonder how long it will take to hit. As soon as it does and the price is the same, I'm going to cancel the IAP version and sign up directly, so Netflix can keep more of my money. I watch most of my Netflix on a non-Apple device anyway!

 

[m11rphy]

Who are these consumers you are talking about? I would love to have another app store on Apple's platform. If Epic was allowed their own app store on Apple platform, consumers would get discount on apps like the Epic store. Competition is always a win win for consumers. ALWAYS!

What makes you think apps on the epic store will be cheaper?

 

[jimbobb24]

It's still important to take into consideration. An extreme example, but what if your employer discussed cutting your pay in half but didn't actually end up doing it? You'd still probably be frustrated and start looking elsewhere for employment. Sometimes the fact that something is even being considered is enough to cause concern.

Was it because you decided to stay home and generate no income for your boss? Because that is the full analogy here.

 

[Gsmaniac]

The only reason I’m keeping my Netflix subscription running, despite the fact I barely watch anything, is so that Apple gets their cut. I don’t want to unsubscribe and then at a latter date resubscribe and have all the money go to Netflix. It’s a matter of principle.