{"id":42826,"date":"2023-07-31T22:11:37","date_gmt":"2023-08-01T02:11:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/markets\/crypto\/apples-app-store-guidelines-under-scrutiny-by-lawmakers-for-blockchain-and-nft-limitations\/"},"modified":"2023-07-31T22:11:39","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T02:11:39","slug":"apples-app-store-guidelines-under-scrutiny-by-lawmakers-for-blockchain-and-nft-limitations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/?p=42826","title":{"rendered":"Apple’s App Store Guidelines Under Scrutiny by Lawmakers for Blockchain and NFT Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Apple<\/strong>\u00a0is facing regulatory scrutiny in the US over its\u00a0App Store<\/strong>\u00a0guidelines, which allegedly hurt apps related to blockchain and\u00a0non-fungible tokens (NFTs)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In a formal\u00a0letter, US Representatives\u00a0Gus Bilirakis<\/strong>\u00a0of the Republican Party, representing\u00a0Florida<\/strong>, and\u00a0Jan Schakowsky<\/strong>\u00a0of the Democratic Party, representing\u00a0Illinois<\/strong>, expressed their concerns directly to Apple CEO\u00a0Tim Cook<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The lawmakers raised questions about the potential impact of Apple’s guidelines on the advancement of innovative technologies like distributed ledger technology and NFTs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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They noticed a pattern in Apple’s approach, where the company appeared to profit from and limit the functionality of crypto apps simultaneously.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This was achieved by mandating the release of “lite” versions of the apps, which not only generated profits for Apple but also reduced the overall utility of the applications.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The lawmakers cited the case of\u00a0Axie Infinity<\/strong>‘s App Store experience as evidence of this strategy.<\/p>\n

They noted that while Apple has justified these limitations as necessary for security, there is growing concern that the company is using the App Store as a tool to suppress competition.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The lawmakers said they believe that it is crucial for Congress to thoroughly understand the App Store guidelines and assess how they may hinder innovation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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“Our subcommittee remains committed to promoting full transparency and ensuring that Big Tech is held accountable for monopolistic behavior.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Crypto Apps Face Struggle to Comply With Apple’s 30% Fee\u00a0<\/h2>\n

One specific anti-crypto policy mentioned in the letter is the requirement for blockchain projects to give up 30% of their gas fees to the App Store.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Coinbase Wallet<\/strong>, for example, had previously claimed that complying with this requirement was impossible because Apple’s in-app purchase system did not support cryptocurrencies.<\/p>\n

Likewise,\u00a0Damus<\/strong>, a decentralized social networking app backed by Jack Dorsey<\/strong>, has been\u00a0facing removal from the App Store\u00a0because it allegedly fails to adhere to Apple’s payment rules.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The app has a tipping feature that allows content creators to receive tips in the form of Bitcoin through the Lightning Network.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Apple deems this feature a violation of its guidelines, as it prohibits developers from selling additional in-app content unless the transactions go through Apple, through which the tech giant takes a 30% cut.<\/p>\n

Meanwhole, there has been a surge in interest in decentralized social media platforms amid recent controversy around social media platforms and their adherence to the values of \u201cfreedom of speech.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aave<\/strong>\u2019s\u00a0Lens Protocol, a Web3 social graph that can be used to build decentralized social media, is another such attempt that aims to allow developers to create decentralized applications.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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