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 threadSomeGadgetGuyAug 12, 2024
@stevestreza
"If true"?
We know it's true. Apple has been raking developers and platforms for "access" to iPhone users for years now.
They held updates for WordPress to force WP to include in app payments.
They held updates for Facebook, when FB tried to disclose why payments and charitable donations had fees taken out of them (apple took the fees, FB just wasn't allowed to tell users that).
Now this for patreon.
Apple is LONG overdue a SIGNIFICANT regulatory action and market correction.
Show threadSteve Streza
@SomeGadgetGuy I've been beating the "Apple is hostile to developers" drum for over a decade, don't worry. It can also be true that companies hide bad news behind "woe is me Apple is punishing us uwu" (and while I am absolutely not implying or suggesting that is happening here, it has happened before and we should leave room for the facts changing, but that is independent of whether Apple is hostile to developers).
Aug 12, 2024 at 9:25pmWeb
Show threadSomeGadgetGuyAug 12, 2024

@stevestreza

Definitely true, but when things like that happen, do we address it from the developers side first, or should we be taking a harder stance on the LARGER entity that has consistently shown abuse in that space.

"Oh no, one company did something kinda bad and is trying to hide behind this argument that Apple is abusing their market power! I guess let Apple off the hook!"

If we could correct for Apple's shitty abuse of devs, then other bad devs wouldn't be able to hide behind that reputation as an excuse.

It would actually be BETTER for Apple's reputation there if they were doing business in a better fashion. We just know that doesn't make Apple as much money as raking devs does now.