Apple apologizes to WordPress after forcing to add in-app purchases

In a statement yesterday, Apple apologized to the makers of the WordPress iOS app after forcing WordPress to sell in-app services and charge its 30% Apple tax.

However, it only took a day for Apple to change its mind and issue an unexpected apology.

“We believe the issue with the WordPress app has been resolved,” Apple said according to a tweet shared by John Grubber, inventor of the Markdown markup language. “Since the developer removed the display of their service payment options from the app, it is now a free stand-alone app and does not have to offer in-app purchases. We have informed the developer and apologize for any confusion that we have caused.”

Update: statement from Apple clarifies that WordPress is indeed a free app that doesn’t need to offer IAP. Includes an apology for any confusion Apple caused: pic.twitter.com/oM1pW1HraD

— John Gruber (@gruber) August 22, 2020

WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg said on Friday that Apple was not going to allow WordPress to make updates to its app, unless it added support for in-app purchases for services WordPress provides. WordPress said it was going to add in-app purchases in the next thirty days.

I am very grateful that folks at Apple re-reviewed @WordPressiOS and have let us know we do not need to implement in-app purchases to be able to continue to update the app. Bad news travels faster than good, usually, so please consider sharing that they reversed course.

— Matt Mullenweg (@photomatt) August 23, 2020

Things changed though in favor of WordPress yesterday. Mullenweg tweeted about the change made by Apple.

Update: https://t.co/aCqKGxE7qL

— Matt Mullenweg (@photomatt) August 23, 2020

I did not expect the previous tweet to get attention outside the WP community. My understanding was the previous decision was final, and we had already made many of the arguments people suggested privately over the several weeks the app was locked.

— Matt Mullenweg (@photomatt) August 23, 2020

Surprisingly, Mullenweg told The Verge the WordPress iOS app did not offer any options to buy premium plans directly from the app. “There was no link to the plans page, and no direct way to buy plans from inside the app.”

Also, he told Apple about removing other mentions related to WordPress’ paid plans, a suggestion Apple rejected.

[Sources]: @gruber (Twitter): Update: statement from Apple clarifies that WordPress is indeed a free app that doesn’t need to offer IAP. Includes an apology for any confusion Apple caused:. @photomatt (Twitter): I am very grateful that folks at Apple re-reviewed @WordPressiOS and have let us know we do not need to implement in-app purchases to be able to continue to update the app. The Verge: Apple apologizes to WordPress, won’t force the free app to add purchases after all.