In 2020, Apple banned the popular video game Fortnite from the App Store. The game’s publisher, Epic Games, attempted to bypass paying Apple its 30% commission for in-app purchases of the game’s V-Bucks currency. In response to Fortnite’s workaround that sent users to outside the App Store to make a purchase, Apple excluded the game from the App Store.
Fast forward to 2024 and it appears that TikTok has now deployed a similar tactic in its iOS app. The question now is: Is TikTok breaking Apple’s rules?
As first reported TechCrunch, developer David Tesler shared screenshots on Tuesday on to the iPhone manufacturer a commission of 30%. These screenshots show that TikTok explicitly asks its users to make a purchase through its website, to which it then directs users within the app so they can purchase coins.
The tweet may have been deleted
“Try recharging on tiktok.com“, reads the TikTok app’s pop-up prompt shown in the screenshot. “You can save service fees and access popular payment methods.”
TikTok users purchase these coins in order to send tips to their favorite creators.
Crushable speed of light
When a user selects a coin purchase option, TikTok informs users that this purchase through the website will save them approximately 25% through “lower third-party service fees.” Of course, TikTok allows it to pass the savings on to consumers because it doesn’t have to share 30% of its revenue with Apple.
Now, as mentioned earlier, Fortnite was banned years ago from the App Store due to similar tactics by Epic Games. However, numerous lawsuits and policy changes regarding Apple’s App Store rules have occurred in the almost four years since Fortnite launched. Since then, Apple has relaxed its rules regarding apps directing users to alternative payment methods.
Like TechCrunch points out, some “reader” applications can provide digital products without having to go through Apple’s in-app purchasing system with Apple’s approval. However, if an app does this, it cannot also offer in-store purchases through Apple. Currently, TikTok still does the latter.
Moreover, as 9to5Mac reports, Apple has another relatively new policy that allows such external links to alternative payment systems. However, this program still provides a commission to Apple, but with a commission that drops from 30% to 27% for an app like TikTok – a savings on commissions for TikTok, if that’s indeed what it does, but not very impressive. A.
Apple and TikTok have not made any statement on the matter, but Mashable will update this article if we hear back.
As Tesler explained, TikTok’s prompt to bypass in-app purchases is not currently showing up for all users. Is this a TikTok test? Did he get permission from Apple? Or do we have another Fortnite situation on our hands? At the moment, it’s unclear exactly what’s going on here.
But one thing is surely happening: TikTok is, at least in some cases, avoiding Apple’s 30% commission fee.
