Apple pulls Match.com app for violating App Store policy, skirting 30% cut

Apple has removed an app by Match.com because the developer allowed users to subscribe to the dating service via a direct link within the app, a violation of Apple's App Store policies for in app subscriptions.

Apple's policy states "Apps can read or play approved content that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app, as long as there is no button or external link in the app to purchase the approved content," wording that supports services like Amazon's Kindle app, Netflix, or Hulu.

Match.com sells subscriptions to its online dating service that would similarly pass App Store rules if its app hadn't included a link directing would-be subscribers to sign up for the service on the company's own site, rather than offering only in app subscriptions that go thorough Apple's servers, for which Apple asks for its 30 percent revenue cut.

Apple's subscription policies have drawn criticism from a variety of companies that insist that they can't afford to split their revenue with Apple in exchange for gaining access to the App Store market the company created for iOS devices.

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37 Comments

apple ][

said about 12 years ago

That makes perfect sense.

Match.com must be pretty stupid if they think that Apple would never notice their violations and disregard for the rules.

If somebody wants their app on the appstore, then they either follow the rules or they can get lost. The choice is theirs.

tallest skil

said about 12 years ago

To expound on the above, Apple has created a means by which an individual, small company, or large company can become very wealthy very quickly without the archaic mess of distribution channels and storefront deals.

And they were the first to do it wildly successfully and to critical acclaim.

Asking for a percentage of said individual/company's income is a small price to pay for said privilege. Or they can do it the way people did it last millennium and make physical software or host their own sites for their stuff.

rugby_kid

said about 12 years ago

Idiots. Who would try to meet someone through their iPhone anywho?

6ryph3n

said about 12 years ago

I think this is a fair policy on Apple's part... they take care of all the distribution and charge a fee. If a company wants to make their service available on iOS without paying they can still do that through HTML5, so it's not even like Apple is forcing them to enter the App Store to be accessible.

saltwater

said about 12 years ago

It's amazing that people considered Microsoft a Monopoly but now that is called Apple things are different, why should anyone be obligated to pay a fee to Apple for a service not wanted or done by others!!!