Apple will allow developers of some apps like Netflix to link them to third-party payment sites for their customers, responding to a long-running complaint about the App Store, settling an investigation by Japan’s Fair Trade Commission.
The Cupertino, California-based tech giant said the change will take effect globally early next year for so-called reader apps that cover content such as magazines, newspapers, books, podcasts, music and video. So far, Apple has forced such apps to use the in-app purchase system, which gives Apple a 30% commission on downloads and subscriptions via the app. This rule will still apply to games, the most profitable category of mobile apps, as well as in-app purchases