Apple proposes to take a 15% cut of purchases made outside the App Store
Executive Take
Apple is testing how much control it can keep even after losing in court. Any developer relying on external payment links should recheck their margin math now, not after the ruling.
Executive Summary
Apple has asked a federal judge to let it charge up to 15% commission on purchases made through external payment links inside iOS apps. This follows the Epic Games antitrust ruling that forced Apple to allow developers to direct users to outside payment options.
Why It Matters
Technology leaders running apps or platforms on iOS need to watch this closely since it directly affects app economics and pricing strategy. It also signals how far courts will let dominant platforms rewrite compliance to protect revenue.
Bizquad Perspective
Most leaders are treating this as an Apple-Epic footnote, but it's really a test case for whether "winning" an antitrust ruling actually changes a platform's revenue power.