Apple has a 'whitelist' of developers who can access unique App Store features

Apple has a list of whitelisted developers with access to additional App Store subscription features, as revealed by court documents and Apple executive testimony in the Epic Games v. Apple trial.

During the testimony of App Store VP Matt Fischer on Thursday, the executive was asked about an email conversation with Apple Director of Program Management Cindy Lin.

The email thread started with a message from Fischer to Lin about a tweet concerning automatic App Store subscription cancellations. Fischer asked how Hulu could "switch people from IAP to Hulu billing," adding that App Store chief Phil Schiller saw the tweet and "wants to know what's going on."

In response, Lin said that Hulu is part of a set of developers with access to a special refund and cancellation feature.

"Hulu is part of the set of whitelisted developers with access to subscription cancel/refund API," Lin wrote. "Back in 2015 they were using this to support instant upgrade using a 2 family set up, before we had subscription upgrade/downgrade capabilities built in."

During Fischer's testimony, the App Store VP was asked whether Apple gives special access to features to some developers and not others. Fischer said no, but added that sometimes Apple tests features with a small group of app makers before providing it all developers.

At other points during Fischer's time on the witness stand, he was asked about an email that describes Fischer as feeling "strongly" about not featuring competitors on the App Store. He denied that claim, saying the person who made the comment was misinformed.

"We have promoted apps that are competitive to Apple apps since before I joined the App Store team in 2010, and we continue to not only distribute but to feature and promote apps that are competitive apps in the store," Fischer said.

Fischer also expanded on the working relationship between Epic Games and Apple prior to the dust up over "Fortnite." For example, Epic Games asked Apple to change the policy to allow in-app gifting. Apple did so, and made the change available to all developers. Fischer also noted that Apple "dropped everything we were doing and scrambled" to promote the Travis Scott concert within "Fortnite," claiming that it was a "really cool concept."

Epic v Apple - Whitelisted ... by Mikey Campbell

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18 Comments

earthkid 35 comments · 4 Years

About 3 years ago

It’s good that they have white list in my opinion because then those who miss behave like the epic they can be on the blacklist if they can come back to iOS again. But since they like to break the rule and then Sue asked for it, I don’t think I would let them back. and the white list is to be there for those who follow the role and play by the role. Reward for good behavior is honorated!

canukstorm 2739 comments · 11 Years

earthkid said:

It’s good that they have white list in my opinion because then those who miss behave like the epic they can be on the blacklist if they can come back to iOS again. But since they like to break the rule and then Sue asked for it, I don’t think I would let them back. and the white list is to be there for those who follow the role and play by the role. Reward for good behavior is honorated!

We treat every developer the same. We have open and transparent rules, it's a rigorous process. Because we care so deeply about privacy and security and quality we do look at every app before it goes on. But those rules apply evenly to everyone. - Tim Cook, Jul 29 2020
So much for that.

ihatescreennames 1971 comments · 19 Years

canukstorm said:

earthkid said:

It’s good that they have white list in my opinion because then those who miss behave like the epic they can be on the blacklist if they can come back to iOS again. But since they like to break the rule and then Sue asked for it, I don’t think I would let them back. and the white list is to be there for those who follow the role and play by the role. Reward for good behavior is honorated!

We treat every developer the same. We have open and transparent rules, it's a rigorous process. Because we care so deeply about privacy and security and quality we do look at every app before it goes on. But those rules apply evenly to everyone. - Tim Cook, Jul 29 2020
So much for that.

FTA: “During Fischer's testimony, the App Store VP was asked whether Apple gives special access to features to some developers and not others. Fischer said no, but added that sometimes Apple tests features with a small group of app makers before providing it all developers.”

It’s completely reasonable to test an unreleased feature with select developers before rolling it out to all. That isn’t giving some developers special treatment or not treating all developers equally. It’s similar to inviting a few developers that Apple has given early access to new hardware or APIs and having them present on-stage at an Apple event. Is it “special treatment”? Kinda. But not in the way that Epic would like the court to believe.

chadbag 2026 comments · 13 Years

nasserae said:

AppleInsider editors couldn’t have came up with more clickbait title. Thank you for reminding me why I stopped reading AI.

Obviously you forgot about it since you are here.

I find it perfectly reasonable that they work with smal groups of developers to flesh out new features, APIs, etc. and then roll it out to everyone.

hammeroftruth 1352 comments · 16 Years

nasserae said:

AppleInsider editors couldn’t have came up with more clickbait title. Thank you for reminding me why I stopped reading AI.

I don’t believe you know what clickbait means. This is obviously not it.

“Clickbait is a text or a thumbnail link that is designed to attract attention and to entice users to follow that link and read, view, or listen to the linked piece of online content, with a defining characteristic of being deceptive, typically sensationalized or misleading.“

In this case, there is no deception, you know, unless you have issues with comprehension.