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| Apple rejects external payment links |
Apple has objected to allowing app developers to opt into third-party payment options before next month's hearing, which could determine whether a number of antitrust court orders have been passed.
After a lengthy lawsuit from Fortnite developer Epic Games earlier this year, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers (Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers) delivered a ruling that primarily favored the iPhone manufacturer.
The judge's ruling confirmed the company's practice of requiring developers to use the integrated payment system to earn commissions.
However, the judge raised concerns that consumers may not have access to information about other payment methods.
Apple has been instructed to end bans on buttons, external links, or other resolution prompts that encourage customers to purchase mechanisms outside of the company's payment system.
Apple must fulfill the order by December 9. However, the company appealed the decision and demanded a postponement of the matter until the start of the appeal.
It could take a year or more as the hearing on the motion is scheduled for November 9.
The company initially stated that its strongest objection was to allow buttons and links to be provided to external payment mechanisms.
Apple's objection raised ahead of Epic Games' conference
The document made the first recommendation that the company would be less opposed to allowing developers to provide information about other payment methods.
The company said these links and buttons impeded its ability to force developers to use IAP to make payments, which the court upheld.
"Association restrictions are closely related to our requirement that developers use the IAP to purchase digital content, and this requirement has been carefully considered and supported by this court," the company added.
The company has fewer objections to in-app messages about other payment methods. However, she said she might want to limit the location, format, or content.
The judge's order in the currently prepared version does not allow him to do so without having to face other legal challenges.