Apple proposes 15% commission for off-App Store purchases in US

Apple has proposed commissions of up to 15% for purchases made outside its App Store system. This proposal comes as part of ongoing legal proceedings in the Epic Games case, which has drawn significant attention to Apple's App Store policies. The tech giant submitted its plan recently, outlining how it aims to regulate transactions that occur outside its platform.

The context for this proposal is rooted in a broader legal and regulatory scrutiny of Apple's App Store practices. The Epic Games lawsuit, filed in 2020, challenged Apple's control over app distribution and in-app purchases. Epic argued that Apple's 30% commission on App Store transactions is monopolistic. A court ruling in September 2021 ordered Apple to allow developers to direct customers to payment options outside the App Store, pushing the company to adapt its practices. This proposal appears to be Apple's response to comply with that ruling while still seeking to monetize off-App Store purchases.

The proposed 15% commission is a significant reduction from the standard 30% rate Apple has enforced for years. This move could potentially attract more developers who have been hesitant to engage with Apple due to high fees. The reaction to this proposal has been mixed. Some developers see it as a step in the right direction, while others believe it still falls short of true competition in app distribution.

Looking ahead, the outcome of this proposal will depend on the court's response and how developers react to the new commission structure. If approved, it could reshape the landscape of app transactions, impacting not just Apple but also its competitors and developers across the industry. This case could set a precedent for how tech companies operate in a rapidly evolving digital marketplace.