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"ProtonMail says that Apple forced it to monetize its app". I stopped there. I have seen a lot of articles like this misleading the public about the issue. App

"ProtonMail says that Apple forced it to monetize its app". I stopped there. I have seen a lot of articles like this misleading the public about the issue. Apple didn't force them to monetize anything. It was monetized. Apple told them to use IAP or don't direct to your own payment system in the app. Either these journalists aren't capable of doing some basic research to understand the issue or are outright trying to deceive the public. Either way is saddening. Another deceiving post: https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/8/21506995/apple-forced-in-app-purchase-protonmail-ceo-wordpress-iap https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/8/21506995/apple-forced-in-... Edit: I see a lot of downvotes. Don't downvote! explain how is this "forcing to monetize". Webster dictionary: monetize - to utilize as a source of profit. Forcing to monetize means the app wasn't selling anything and Apple forced them to sell something. This is not the case! Apple forced them to choose between using IAP for payment system instead of their own system OR don't direct users to external payment system from within the app.

intricatedetail 6y ago
Care to explain why do you think these articles are deceptive?
- codelord 6y ago
  I did explain it. Was there a part of it that was ambiguous? Apple didn't ask them to monetize, article says it did.
brainless 6y ago
ProtonMail user here: I think you are missing the point. They didn't have "in app" purchase ever. The email account being paid really isn't about the app in my opinion. I can use the same account on any device I want to. But now they must have IAP on Apple devices, for which they raise prices. Imagine Gmail personal now being mandatorily paid because they have optional pricing tiers on their website, that's linked in the free email client somewhere. It's boring the customer at the least.
- codelord 6y ago
  Firstly: If you don't direct or mention about the external payment system in the app it doesn't break any of Apple rules. They can charge 1000$ on their own website and not pay a penny to Apple if they just don't link to their payment system in the app. Secondly: My main issue is that the article is misleading the public to think Apple forced them to monetize a plan that was free. That is the farthest thing from the truth it can be. You are allowed to sell free apps and services on iOS. Whether the app is free/paid or a service on top of the app is paid is not really Apple's concern. The concern is directing users to an external payment system.

intricatedetail 6y ago

Care to explain why do you think these articles are deceptive?

codelord 6y ago
I did explain it. Was there a part of it that was ambiguous? Apple didn't ask them to monetize, article says it did.

brainless 6y ago

ProtonMail user here: I think you are missing the point. They didn't have "in app" purchase ever. The email account being paid really isn't about the app in my opinion. I can use the same account on any device I want to. But now they must have IAP on Apple devices, for which they raise prices. Imagine Gmail personal now being mandatorily paid because they have optional pricing tiers on their website, that's linked in the free email client somewhere. It's boring the customer at the least.

codelord 6y ago
Firstly: If you don't direct or mention about the external payment system in the app it doesn't break any of Apple rules. They can charge 1000$ on their own website and not pay a penny to Apple if they just don't link to their payment system in the app. Secondly: My main issue is that the article is misleading the public to think Apple forced them to monetize a plan that was free. That is the farthest thing from the truth it can be. You are allowed to sell free apps and services on iOS. Whether the app is free/paid or a service on top of the app is paid is not really Apple's concern. The concern is directing users to an external payment system.