Apple has revised its App Store Guidelines to accommodate external payments and links, following an injunction issued in the Epic v. Apple case. Developers can now guide users to make purchases outside of Apple’s App Store, aligning with the court’s ruling. Specific sections of the guidelines (3.1.1, 3.2.1(a), 3.1.3, and 3.1.3(a)) have been updated to reflect this change. Previously, apps were prohibited from including buttons or links that directed customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchases, but an exemption now exists for apps hosted on the US storefront. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple cannot restrict developers from including links or buttons for external purchases or interfere with users choosing third-party sites. Apple stated it will comply with the court order while appealing the decision. “The App Review Guidelines have been updated for compliance with a United States court decision,” Apple informed developers in an email. These changes apply to apps distributed on the US App Store.
— new from The Verge
