corndalorian on Nostr: In short, yes it’s an Apple issue. I did a write up about the issues Apple created ...

In short, yes it’s an Apple issue. I did a write up about the issues Apple created for Damus last year when it happened. I’ll tag it below. Primal managed a way to implement it that satisfied Apple’s rules but it came with some tradeoffs, such as having to use Primal’s built in wallet for sending zaps in the app.

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It’s been quite the day for #Nostr and damus (npub18m7…q955) in particular due to Apple’s threatened removal from the App Store. Would love to crowd source a recap here. I’m going to recount as much as I can, and tag some notes, but please add in the replies if I missed anything.

The day started with jb55 (npub1xts…kk5s) sharing screenshots of a notice he received from Apple stating that Damus would be removed from the App Store in 14 days due to Apple’s claims that #zaps are in violation of their policy on in-app purchases. In Apple’s notice they said that tips and donations, even if optional, must use “in-app purchase” if they are associated with receiving digital content, and that zaps allow for this to take place outside of the in-app purchase mechanism.
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Users quickly jumped to point out the similarities between zaps and other tipping features in apps such as Twitter and Fountain App.
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Long time bitcoiners shared flashbacks to when Apple previously banned bitcoin wallet apps several years ago:
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Many on Nostr began calling for a complete boycott of Apple over the issue, and others called for Damus and other clients to take the progressive web app approach to avoid Apple’s restrictions. Still others were looking for a path forward so Apple users would still have access to native Nostr clients. NVK (npub1az9…m8y8) suggested that Damus “should keep the app in the store without zaps while the battle rages. The more users Damus has the more bargaining power you get.” Will replied, “That’s the plan for now.”
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The shocking news spread quickly even outside of Nostr, including on Twitter and in tech publications:
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In a tweet tagging Apple and CEO, Tim Cook, jack (npub1sg6…f63m) said, “This seems to be a misunderstanding by @apple of how this feature works and what it's for. It's a critical part of the future of the internet. It has the capacity to bring people around the world into the economy without the traditional gatekeepers. Please reconsider @tim_cook.”
https://twitter.com/jack/status/1668648607661056000

Will shared that Apple contacted him to discuss the issue in more detail, and was ultimately told that, “Damus can keep the zap button on the profile but not notes. It is considered ‘selling digital content’ if its on notes.”
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Jack took to Twitter again saying, echoing the words of many other users, that “This is still incorrect @apple. Tipping on posts is not selling digital content. It’s a form of feedback. Why limit people sending bitcoin to each other? This is our one opportunity to build a truly global payment protocol for the internet (which would benefit your company immensely). @tim_cook”
https://twitter.com/jack/status/1668711207686094849

News of Apple’s move against Damus continued to spread, catching the eye of Elon Musk, who also tweeted his criticisms of Apple’s policy in defense of Damus saying, “This is not a winning scenario.”
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Many who are active in #bitcoin and #Nostr development have provided suggestions as to how Damus could implement zaps while hopefully steering clear of violating Apple’s policies and removal from the App Store.
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At this time no specific changes have been announced for Damus, however Will stated that, “The number of people who contacted me today offering support (even from within apple) has been absolutely staggering. There are nostriches *everywhere*. We are going to win.”
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