Federal Judge Finds Apple in Contempt of Court Over Payment Policy
In a significant legal development, a federal judge has confirmed that Apple is deliberately disregarding a 2021 court injunction regarding its App Store policies. The presiding judge emphasized that Apple must enable developers to incorporate buttons, external links, or calls to action within their applications. This measure aims to facilitate users’ access to alternative purchasing methods outside the App Store. Moreover, it mandates that developers can efficiently and transparently communicate payment options to users without any limitations.
Spotify Takes Immediate Action Following Court Ruling
In a quick response to the court ruling, Spotify announced that it submitted an updated version of its app to Apple’s App Store, implementing changes to comply with the injunction. Once Apple approves this new update, users in the U. S.can expect the following enhancements:
- Access to pricing details for subscriptions and promotional offers directly within the app;
- Ability to click links for upgrading from free accounts to various Premium plans;
- Facilities to modify Premium subscriptions from Individual to Student, Duo, or Family plans;
- Option to utilize alternative payment methods beyond Apple’s own system, thereby expanding choices for users;
- Opportunities for seamless purchases that could directly benefit creators, such as easy audiobook acquisitions.
Other Companies Preparing to Update Their Apps
Spotify is not alone in adapting to the recent ruling. Other companies, including Epic Games and Proton Mail, are poised to introduce updates that integrate external payment systems. Furthermore, Stripe, a top payment processing platform, has announced a new method allowing iOS developers to accept payments within their applications without the financial burden of App Store commissions.
Stripe 🤝 iOS developers Exciting news for iOS app developers! You can now accept payments with @stripe outside of your app, free from iOS App Store commissions. The Stripe team has prepared a quick guide to help you go live now! Check the documentation in the 🧵 pic.twitter.com/gKguWwBanv
— Michael Luo (@AzianMike) May 1, 2025
Apple’s Response and Future Implications
During a quarterly earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed the company’s strong disagreement with the court’s verdict, revealing plans to appeal the decision. While developers are racing to implement solutions for external payment links, Apple’s intention to contest this ruling suggests that the legal conflicts surrounding App Store practices are likely to persist, potentially escalating into a more extensive legal confrontation.
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