Steve StrezaAug 12, 2024

If true, Apple demanding rent from Patreon subscriptions is particularly offensive. The people who Apple will be stealing money from, online creators, don't have any relationship with Apple here. They didn't ask to be here.

Apple made a billion dollars in profit last quarter *every four days*. This is wholly unnecessary. It is pure evil greed. They really weren't screwing around when they made an ad destroying all of those creative instruments and art tools. https://news.patreon.com/articles/understanding-apple-requirements-for-patreon

Apple’s requirements to hit creators and fans on Patreon

Apple requires that Patreon switch to their iOS in-app purchase system, or risk being removed from the App Store. Here’s what’s creators need to know.

Apple’s requirements to hit creators and fans on Patreon
Show threadCorry HainesAug 12, 2024

@stevestreza If I am reading this correctly, it also allows Patreon to wholly simplify their own billing, and possibly offload all their iOS-sourced credit card fees to creators/users.

So this kinda backdoor implements some of the changes that Patreon wanted a few years back, I think?

Show threadSteve Streza
@corry I work in a similar space so I won't comment on how Patreon conducts business. But they talk about a requirement and mandate from Apple, which suggests that this was a decision made by Apple.
Aug 12, 2024 at 7:07pmWeb
Show threadCorry HainesAug 12, 2024

@stevestreza nod, could totally be that.

But it arguably helps Patreon too, so I have to wonder if there is some amount of “oh no” in public and “thank goodness” in private. Because they could have turned off app based subs.

Regardless, Apple is in the wrong too. Just wondering if Patreon is using this to stealth some changes they wanted anyways.

Show threadCorry HainesAug 12, 2024

@stevestreza and Patreon also mentioned there is a direct marketplace in their app, which more definitely flies in the face of the old rules

https://www.patreon.com/product/digital-product