Apple is flexing its muscles once again. The tech giant is demanding that Patreon, a popular platform for creators to connect with their fans, switch to Apple’s in-app purchase system or face delisting from the App Store.
This move could have significant implications for Patreon’s creators, who rely on the platform to monetize their work. Apple’s in-app purchase system requires creators to pay a 30% commission on all subscriptions made through the App Store. This means that Patreon creators would see a significant portion of their earnings siphoned off by Apple.
To mitigate the impact of Apple’s fee, Patreon is offering creators a few options:
While these options offer some flexibility, they ultimately highlight Apple’s dominant position in the app market. Patreon has little choice but to comply with Apple’s demands if it wants to remain accessible to iOS users.
This latest move by Apple is yet another example of the company’s aggressive tactics to protect its App Store ecosystem. By forcing developers to use its in-app purchase system, Apple is able to extract a significant portion of their revenue. This practice has been criticized by many, including lawmakers and industry experts.
It remains to be seen how Patreon’s creators will respond to Apple’s demands. Whether they will choose to increase their prices, maintain consistent pricing, or explore alternative platforms remains to be seen.