Microsoft, Meta, Match Group and X (formerly known as Twitter) took a stand against Apple's in-app payments policy in an amicus brief filed Wednesday in a federal lawsuit in California. This coalition of tech giants accuses Apple of not following the "letter or spirit" of an order issued by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in 2021 in its dispute with Epic Games.
Microsoft and Meta are seeking an injunction that would prohibit Apple from preventing app developers from informing users of external payment options, providing an alternative to Apple's own in-app payment (IAP) system, which imposes fees of between 15 and 30 percent . This practice has been criticized for limiting competition and making it harder for developers to avoid these fees by directing users to lower-priced payment options outside the iOS ecosystem.
Microsoft and Meta argue that while Apple proposed allowing developers to add external links for purchases, the new rule is so complicated and burdensome that it practically prevents the effective use of these alternatives. "Apple's new restrictions are clearly designed to make alternatives to IAP impractical for developers and inaccessible to consumers," the brief states.
Microsoft and Meta Attack Apple, what accusations are launched against the company
Microsoft and Meta complain that the imposition of a 12 to 27 percent tax on third-party purchases, according to the companies, undermines efforts to provide a real alternative to Apple's IAP system, reducing the margin of economy to an insignificant level and thus discouraging the use of a system of external payments.
Meta highlights, for example, how Apple tried to impose its IAP fee on a feature that allows advertisers to promote posts in apps, thereby increasing the costs of using the service and limiting access to better payment options.
In response to the allegations in the amicus brief, Apple spokesman Fred Sainz reiterated the company's position that it complied with court orders, arguing that unregulated external payment links could harm user security and the integrity of the iOS platform.
The conflict between Apple and the rest of the tech world raises significant questions about the balance between security, privacy and freedom of choice in the digital ecosystem, showing that disputes over in-app payments are far from settled. A further hearing on the enforcement of the order is scheduled for April 30, giving Apple an opportunity to formally respond to the allegations made by the tech giants.
