By E.U. law, Apple must let iPhone applications include payment systems other than Apple’s own. But in a move that seems calculated to convince customers and developers to avoid these alternatives, there’s now a “scare screen” on applications that do not offer Apple’s payment system in the European Union version of the App Store.
‘Scare screen’ added to EU apps that skip Apple’s payment system
Among many other requirements, the European Union’s Digital Markets Act forced Apple to let developers build alternative payment systems into their applications. When devs do this, Cupertino doesn’t get a cut of the revenue.
The response from Apple is a new warning in the App Store that says, “This app does not support the App Store’s private and secure payment system. It uses external purchases.” This is posted prominently, above the name of the application, and is accompanied by a red warning symbol.
This is called a scare screen, and its purpose is to make users hesitant if they are unaware that many companies provide secure payment systems — it’s hardly an Apple exclusive feature.
Apple employed the same tactic in the U.S. App Store for third-party iPhone applications that used non-Apple payment systems until a judge used a court order to force it to stop.
In Apple’s defense, it’s possible some developers might use a dodgy payment system. And many iPhone users liked that they could trust payments made in their apps because they always went through Apple. Now, however, it’s up to consumers in the E.U. and U.S. to make sure their payments are being handled securely. They’re undoubtedly getting a warning to do so from Apple.
