The Apple App Store is being questioned yet again because of its policies and guidelines regarding the blockchain, cryptocurrency, NFTs, and related experiences. US Lawmakers have addressed a letter to Tim Cook which inquires about the guidelines of its App Store, especially as it is always cited whenever there are restrictions or hindrances to these services.
It is widely known that Apple is notorious for its App Store guidelines, particularly its massive commission rate that requires developers and companies to pay a 30 percent rate per transaction.
Tim Cook Questioned for Apple App Store Guidelines
(Photo : CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)
The Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce's Chairman and Ranking Members Gus Bilirakis and Jan Schakowsky have penned a letter to Apple and Tim Cook regarding its App Store guidelines. More particularly, the letter is now seeking answers regarding its guidelines on the blockchain, crypto, and more on the platform.
In the past years, Apple got questioned for its commission rates as well, especially by companies and entities including Coinbase, Jack Dorsey, and others that offer exchanges over their iOS apps.
The subcommittee also mentioned a previous complaint by Coinbase regarding Apple asking them to remove their NFT transfer feature, with Cupertino blocking their update as they wanted their 30 percent share on every transaction.
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US Lawmakers: Blockchain, NFTs, and MORE
According to 9to5 Mac, the lawmakers want Cook to answer why it is hindering "innovation and and American technology," with its case's focus on blockchain, NFTs, and crypto.
The letter also asked if Apple has plans on the blockchain, further citing if it is looking to build apps related to this ledger where everything is tracked and accounted for, one that is ideally immune to cheating or hacks.
Apple App Store on Crypto, Blockchain
The notorious Apple App Store commission rate of 30 percent strikes again, and it has faced this deep waters before with app developers and companies looking to add cryptocurrency, blockchain, and NFT features to their services.
It is widely known that every transaction on iOS gets a 30 percent cut given to Apple, with Cupertino imposing this upon NFTs.
It also intensified its rules in these transactions, saying that platforms could only distribute and transact on platforms that Apple already obtained the license to operate or are amenable to transact.
However, Apple reiterated that developers should not offer external links or promote third-party transactions upfront, especially on giving users a third-party purchase option.
Apart from apps and in-game currencies, purchases, and more seeing this frowned-upon commission rate, the world of cryptocurrency and the blockchain are also highly affected.
Now, US Lawmakers have reached Apple through Tim Cook and questioned their policies, but whether would it make a difference or continue to another FTC or Congress probe is still unknown.
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