A replace to Spotify’s app within the App Store is on maintain, after the streaming service did not comply with guidelines permitting hyperlinks to exterior websites for purchases.
Apple has already made a number of changes to its App Retailer guidelines, primarily to adjust to EU laws just like the Digital Markets Act. Whereas Apple has laid out new guidelines builders should comply with to carry out particular actions, not all apps have gone down the right route.
An App Evaluate electronic mail despatched to Spotify and considered by AppleInsider states that model 8.9.33 of Spotify’s app was halted from publication to the App Retailer.
The e-mail explains that Apple created a Music Streaming Providers Entitlement for the European Financial Space storefronts, affecting iOS and iPadOS music streaming apps. The entitlement permits streaming companies to make use of exterior hyperlinks, buttons, and calls to motion to drive customers to a developer’s web site, so they may make a purchase order exterior of Apple’s In-App Buy mechanism.
Beneath is all the textual content of what we have seen. We’ve authenticated its provenance.
Hiya crew at Spotify
We’re reaching out to let you realize about new data concerning your app, Spotify – Music and Podcasts, model 8.9.33.
As it’s possible you’ll remember, Apple created a brand new Music Streaming Providers Entitlement (EEA) for iOS and iPadOS music streaming apps provided in EEA storefronts. The entitlement permits music streaming apps to make use of buttons, exterior hyperlinks, or different calls to motion to direct clients to a purchase order mechanism on an internet site owned or managed by the developer. You need to settle for its phrases earlier than including any of those capabilities to your app. Please discover extra details about the entitlement right here.
We observe that your present submission features a name to motion to buy a Spotify subscription in your web site. As such, you need to settle for the phrases of the Music Streaming Providers Entitlement (EEA) and embrace the entitlement profile in your app for submission. To be clear, this entitlement is required even when your app doesn’t embrace an exterior hyperlink (nor does it require that you simply supply an exterior hyperlink). We are going to, nevertheless, approve model 8.9.33 after you settle for the phrases of the Music Streaming Providers Entitlement (EEA) and resubmit it for overview.
When you’ve got any questions on this data, please reply to this message to tell us.
Greatest regards,
App Evaluate
Earlier than builders can add these hyperlinks and buttons, they need to settle for the phrases of the Music Streaming Providers Entitlement (EEA) and add the entitlement profile as a part of the App Retailer overview submission.
Whereas Apple hasn’t allowed model 8.9.33 into the storefront simply but, it isn’t fully rejected. The App Evaluate crew does say that the replace will be resubmitted after Spotify accepts the phrases of the entitlement.
It’s unclear if the app might be blocked in different territories, however since it’s an EEA-specific concern, it needs to be allowed elsewhere.
Spotify has beforehand complained about Apple’s prolonged delays in reviewing updates submitted to the App Retailer. In March, Spotify complained that Apple had failed to reply concerning the app replace after 9 days of ready.
What’s the Music Streaming Providers Entitlement
In accordance with Apple’s developer support pages, the entitlement means streaming companies can embrace a hyperlink to a developer-owned web site that may advise of different methods to buy digital items or companies. Briefly, as a substitute of utilizing the In App Funds course of, the app can as a substitute take cost from their very own buying system.
To qualify for the entitlement, the app should primarily supply music streaming companies, have chosen Music as their major app class, and be accessible within the iOS and iPadOS App Retailer for an EEU storefront.
The app additionally should not use the StoreKit Exterior Hyperlink Account Entitlement profile, which is successfully the identical factor for different app varieties. The app additionally can’t take part within the Video Associate Program or Information Associate Program.
Apps should pay Apple a fee of 27% on purchases made by this different course of. That is barely decrease than the same old 30% price for direct App Retailer funds.
Nevertheless, if the app is a participant within the Small Enterprise Program, or the transaction is an auto-renewal within the second 12 months or later of an auto-renewing subscription, the fee drops to 12%.