Apple to introduce payment fees to Patreon?

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  • Apple has reportedly pushed Patreon to adopt its own payment systems for iOS
  • This exposes payees and creators to the dreaded 30% transaction fee
  • So what’s going on with this whole thing?

As a long-time supporter of independent creators and artists, I find Apple’s recent move towards forcing Patreon to adopt their payment systems concerning. I’ve seen firsthand the struggles that these talented individuals face to make ends meet, and a 30% transaction fee is hardly a helping hand.

Apple is facing criticism again due to the 30% transaction fees they impose on iOS. However, surprisingly, this time the criticism isn’t coming from Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney or issues related to games. Instead, it’s due to their pressure tactics regarding changes they want to make to the popular creator-support platform, Patreon.

As a long-time supporter of independent artists, creators, and innovators, I have been following the developments regarding Patreon’s recent dispute with Apple. Having backed numerous projects on this platform myself, I can attest to its importance in helping these talented individuals sustain their creative pursuits.

The 30% charge marked the start of the continuous dispute between Epic Games, Apple, and others, which Tim Sweeney, Epic’s leader, frequently criticizes passionately in his unique advocacy manner.

If Apple makes this move, it could potentially have unintended consequences. Although some, including myself, may question the purely altruistic intentions of influential figures like Tim Sweeney in large corporations, there are few who won’t feel a certain amount of empathy towards struggling creators.

Imposing a 30% fee, especially now when it was previously free on iOS for years, seems like an unveiled display of- let me phrase it delicately- “blatant self-interest”. It’s not that Apple hasn’t made mistakes recently; they’ve even had to retract some decisions.

Of course, that’s assuming it isn’t more complex than what we’re being let in on.

It’s important to note that the verbal conflict between Apple, other platform owners, and Epic Games isn’t just a simple dispute. In fact, Epic has chosen to leave the Samsung Galaxy Store in Europe and opt for the AltStore instead.

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2024-08-13 15:48