Apple has extended the deadline for requirement of in-app purchases for online group events within iOS apps from December 2020 to 30th June 2021. The company temporarily waived the customary 30% App Store fee on in-app purchases for paid online events by small businesses on Facebook.
The company recently also said that as the world is fighting with Covid-19, it has recognized that adapting experiences from in-person to digital continues to be a top priority.
Apple said in a statement that apps are required to offer any paid online group event experiences through in-app purchase in accordance with App Store Review guideline 3.1.1, they temporarily deferred the requirement with an original deadline of December 2020. For providing additional time to develop in-app purchase solutions, the deadline has been extended to 30th June, 2021.
Because they faced heavy criticism for App Store’s 30% standard commission for paid app revenue and in-app purchases, last week, the company revealed a new developer programme which will decrease the charge by half for small businesses that earn up to $1 million in revenue from 1st January.
Apple also said that the new “App Store Small Business Programme” will benefit a vast majority of developers who sell digital goods and services at the store and offer them with a decreased commission on paid apps and in-app purchases.
Due to be launched on 1st January, the programme has came at an important time as small and independent developers are continuing to work to innovate and thrive during a period of unprecedented global economic challenge.