Apple, the US based iPhone maker, will waive off its 30 percent App Store fee for paid online events by small businesses on Facebook until December 31.
Apple has been facing severe criticism about its App Store policies and high margin of commission that it collects. Recently, app developers like Epic Games, Spotify and Match Group came together to form a coalitionand protest against what they call the ‘unfair practices of Apple.’
The social media giant Facebook said that online event fees will be processed through Facebook Pay without Apple collecting its 30 percent customary fees.
Last month Facebook launched a new feature for businesses, creators, educators and media publishers to earn money by conducting online events through their platform. Now, Facebook Page owners can create their online programs, fix prices, promote it, collect the payment and conduct the program in one platform.
Facebook’s partner monetization policies are followed by 20 countries around the globe and the Pages from this region can start charging for online events which would bring ease to millions of people and small businesses to earn money through social media platforms.
Earlier a certain percent used to be deducted from this revenue but the latest move of Apple ensures that the businesses will receive all of the earnings from their online events. Facebook had announced earlier that it won’t collect any fees from paid online events till August 2021 as part of its mission to support creators and small businesses.
The temporary waiver provided by Apple will not apply to game creators as it is ‘not a physical business affected by the pandemic.’
Apple Vs. Facebook
However, Facebook does not appear to be entirely happy with Apple’s waiver decision as it is applicable for only 3 months. The two tech companies have openly spoken about their dissatisfaction with each other earlier also.
Recently, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg opined that Apple needs to review its App store policies. It also said earlier that Apple’s upcoming privacy practices in iOS 14 may end up in more than 50 percent decline in its Audience Network advertising business due to which the tech giants delayedthe software release.
Apple had earlier turned down the Gaming app of Facebook on the App Store, considering it as a direct threat to their live stream gaming service Apple Arcade.
