A lot of people are cheering the latest court blow to Apple. Those celebrating—includes game studios known for dark patterns and aggressive monetization targeting kids—aren’t exactly champions of user freedom.
Apple appealed, rightfully so. Let’s unpack the full picture in the thread below.
Let’s start with a fundamental question: what do Apple customers consistently expect—and receive?
✅ Strong privacy controls
✅ Transparent payment and refund systems
✅ Clear subscription management with instant cancel options
✅ Robust parental controls
These aren’t just random features—they’re part of the trust Apple has built over years. Any ruling that undermines these values deserves deeper scrutiny.
For instance, the section on ‘neutral messaging’ prohibits Apple from providing proper warnings, information, and education to its user base when linked outside the App Store. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25924283-epic-v-apple-contempt-order/
Direct quotes:
Majorities of U.S. adults believe their personal data is less secure now, that data collection poses more risks than benefits, and that it is not possible to go through daily life without being tracked.
“Consent to the use of personal data has not only a legal, but also a cognitive dimension… Data consumers may consent to the use of their personal data, without being cognitively aware and sufficiently informed of the nature and extent of that use by data providers. Data providers then exploit this cognitive asymmetry for their economic benefit, at the expense of consumers’ privacy.”
Consumers on the Apple platform have certain expectations, particularly regarding protections, as I mentioned earlier. Blocking Apple from effectively warning its users about the potential risks associated with disabling these protections would allow dark pattern-driven schemes to flourish.
Again, if most users don’t read privacy policies before handing over their data, imagine how few will scrutinize a random third-party link before entering credit card details.
So, what about the App Store fees associated with external links?
Putting your app on the App Store is a business decision. It involves targeting an audience on Apple’s intellectual property. Anyone can calculate the costs and determine if it’s financially viable to list their app on the Store.
My expectations for the appeal process are as follows:
I believe Apple has a strong case for the appeal. It’s unreasonable to have a policy that prevents Apple from informing its users about potential risks, especially when it’s being presented as a means of competition.
Jan W. Illens
