Apple appeals decision that forced it to allow links to external payments in apps

As promised, Apple has now filed its appeal to the recent court ruling that required it to open up its App Store to external payment mechanisms. Last week, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers took the tech giant to task for defying the court’s orders in its battle with Fortnite maker Epic Games by not freely allowing apps to link to alternative payment options outside its U.S. App Store. Apple thought it had followed the letter of the law by allowing app developers to request an entitlement (an exception to its App Store rules), while also requiring a 27% commission on purchases made outside its App Store. It also required the use of “scare screens,” or full-screen pop-up messages warning consumers of the dangers of making in-app purchases from the app developer’s own website. In her ruling, Rogers reminded Apple that “this is an injunction, not a negotiation,” while calling out Apple for attempting to route around the court’s order with its excessive requirements and rules. In addition, t ... Read full article.