Damus is the first iPhone app for the Nostr social community, which relies on a decentralized platform and is supported by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. After being faraway from the Chinese language App Retailer earlier this yr, Damus was nearly banned worldwide by Apple – however this time for a distinct cause. That’s as a result of the corporate wasn’t proud of a function that permit customers tip one another utilizing Bitcoin.

Damus app and Bitcoin transactions

Nostr works equally to different social networks, like Mastodon and Bluesky (that are all impressed not directly by Twitter), however with its personal particularities. And Damus, an app that lets customers entry Nostr by their Apple gadgets, has a function known as “Zaps,” that are mainly Bitcoin-based microtransactions.

Customers can “Zap” one another as a technique to present content material creators. For instance, Zaps can be found on customers’ profiles and in addition on particular person posts. However that’s altering now due to a call by Apple. On Tuesday, Apple reached out to the builders of Damus to tell them that the app can be faraway from the App Retailer for violating the corporate’s pointers.

Extra particularly, Apple strengthened that letting customers ship cash in response to particular person content material posted on the social community was thought of “promoting digital content material.” Apple additionally complained about “Zaps” not counting on in-app purchases.

Apple and the builders have reached an settlement

In fact, the information resonated negatively on the web. Jack Dorsey stated on Twitter that the scenario was a “misunderstanding by Apple of how this function works” and that “tipping posts will not be promoting digital content material.” Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Video games, recognized for his battle with Apple, stated that letting Apple tax Damus will set a precedent for Apple to “tax digital banking, payroll, and the rest.”

Present Twitter CEO Elon Musk, additionally recognized for not agreeing with App Retailer pointers, replied to Sweeney’s tweet with “Main concern.”

After the unfavourable reactions, Apple once more reached out to the Damus builders to debate what may very well be performed to maintain the app accessible on the App Retailer. The 2 teams reached an settlement, and Damus can hold Zaps transactions however solely on consumer profiles. The choice to ship Zaps to particular person posts is now not accessible, as Apple nonetheless considers this as promoting digital content material.

The antitrust case in opposition to App Retailer

Apple’s arbitrary choices on the subject of the App Retailer and in-app purchases are among the many essential explanation why the corporate has been going through scrutiny from governments all over the world, particularly from the European Union. In accordance with rumors, Apple is engaged on permitting sideloading in iOS.

Though none of this has been introduced for iOS 17 beta, Apple’s VP of Software program, Craig Federighi, stated in an interview that Apple needs to adjust to EU choices.