 |
| Apple appeals Appeals Court ruling in Battle of Epic Games |
With potentially billions of dollars and partial control of the App Store at risk, Apple has appealed the ruling in its main lawsuit against Epic Games.
Although the iPhone company largely won the case, claiming the decision was a huge victory, the judge ruled that it won the case and 9 out of 10 claimed that Epic Games supported them. But I missed an important suggestion.
The judge found that it violated California's countermeasures rules and required it to allow developers to connect to third-party payment systems. This policy could have been implemented in December. But it can get past what seems to be the point.
As part of the appeal, Apple is asking for a suspension to prevent the need to introduce new anti-routing rules, arguing that those rules allow it to protect consumers and protect its platform while the company is legal, technical, and economically nimble.
For example, the company says the new anti-routing rules are unnecessary because it agreed to remove the offending section of the App Store policies.
At the time, Apple agreed to make it clear that it would allow app developers to communicate with authorized customers rather than contact third-party payment systems.
This statement is widely regarded as misleading information by the developers. The company didn't say at the time that it would remove any part of the guidelines from the App Store.
Despite the claim of some of the company's critics, the company also appears to be concerned that the court order will force it to open the App Store to other payment mechanisms.
"Links and buttons to alternative payment mechanisms are risky," Apple said. Users who click on the in-app payment link want to be directed to a web page where they can securely provide payment information, email address or other personal information.
Apple previously described the move as a major victory
The company goes on to say that while it must allow app developers to connect to third-party payment systems, it cannot protect users from fraud.
"Apple can check the links in the version of the app submitted for review," she said. But nothing prevents developers from modifying this link or the content of the landing page. In addition, we are currently unable to determine whether users who click on external links are receiving the products or features they paid for.
"We receive hundreds of thousands of user reports every day. Allowing external payment options links will only increase that burden." The introduction of external payment links leads to the same security concerns that we typically use an IAP to address.
The company cited an article by Paddle, a potential competitor to embedded payments, that appeared after the court ruling. It clarifies the potential threat of access to a user's email address, which is in stark contrast to Apple's strict data protection guidelines.
The company said the swift implementation of the ban would upset the balance between developers and store customers. It also caused irreparable harm to Apple and consumers.
The company also cited an earlier case as evidence that the App Store can encourage competition despite political restrictions.