Telegram forced to crack down on paid posts because Apple wasn’t getting a cut
>
Telegram and its users are done getting around Apple’s strict payment guidelines.
The encrypted messaging platform has had to crack down on its iOS users who created paid messages through third-party methods for violating Apple’s payment policies.
Until recently, the messaging platform allowed channels to set paid content (opens in new tab) using payment bots. Telegram did not test any new feature. The company had simply, and without fuss, let the makers use an independent payment system outside of Apple’s clutches. Content creators could set the prices and have their fans support directly. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov said in a recent post: (opens in new tab) that creators would receive “nearly 100 percent of what their subscribers paid…” However, this all disappears once Apple got wind of the payments and wasn’t happy it didn’t get its 30 percent tax cut.
Full control
Durov states that because “Apple has full control over its ecosystem,” the developer has no choice but to disable paid messaging on iOS. Presumably, if not, Telegram would be removed from the App Store.
Durov further accuses Apple of destroying developers’ dreams and “[crushing] entrepreneurs with a tax that is higher than the VAT levied by the government (value added tax)”. He calls on regulators around the world to take action against “a trillion dollar monopoly”. [abusing] its market dominance.”
Telegram states it will continue to work on new tools for creators “to monetize their content — outside of Apple’s restrictive ecosystem.” For example, it has bypassed the App Store charges for Telegram Premium by allowing users to subscribe through the @PremiumBot at a discounted price (opens in new tab). We contacted the developer and asked what will happen on Android. Looks like paid messages will continue to appear on Android devices. This story will be updated if we hear anything.
History repeats itself
If this all sounds very familiar, it’s because something similar has happened before.
In 2021, video game developer Epic Games sued Apple after the latter pulled Fortnite from the App Store. According to reportsEpic “broke its agreement with Apple” by allowing players to purchase in-game currency through third-party methods and bypass the 30 percent tax. The judge in the case ultimately ruled in Apple’s favour, but appeals continue to this day.
Since the lawsuit, we’ve seen other entities speak out against Apple. you have the loves Spotify (opens in new tab) calls the tech giant “anti-competitive” because of App Store rules that make buying an audiobook too complicated. Newfound Twitter wrangler Elon Musk said in May: (opens in new tab) that 30 percent is “10 times higher than it should be,” and South Korea thought so too. The nation passed a law last year Forcing Apple and Google to allow developers to use third-party payment systems and not pay the hefty tax.
The current state of the App Store is a hot topic because the industry may have been jealous at one point, but public sentiment has shifted. Be sure to read our recent op-ed on why the Apple App Store is harming the iPhone experience.