Tuna Cetin
In an effort to avoid Apple’s controversial 30% App Store fee, Twitter might not offer its Blue subscription plan as an in-app purchase to iOS users when it relaunches, Platformer reported. (via TheVerge).
The service, which will now be required for those that want to have a blue check mark, was initially launched earlier this month and could be purchased only through Twitter’s iOS app. However, the company halted signups after many accounts impersonated celebrities, companies and politicians, saying that it would be relaunched on November 29.
Last week, new CEO Elon Musk said he’s holding off the relaunch of Twitter Blue ‘’until there is high confidence of stopping impersonation.’’
According to Platformer, the delay is most likely due to Twitter’s efforts to dodge the 30% fee Apple charges developers making more than $1 million a year, something Elon Musk has been quite vocal about recently.
Earlier this month, Musk said Apple’s charge is a ‘’hidden 30% tax on the Internet’’. A few days ago, he announced that Apple has mostly stopped advertising on Twitter, and threatened to withhold its app from the App Store without providing any reason. He also targeted the iPhone-maker’s in-app purchase fee saying, ‘’Did you know Apple puts a secret 30% tax on everything you buy through their App Store?’’.
While Apple hasn’t shared a word about Musk’s tweets yet, Twitter’s general amnesty for suspended accounts, and mass layoffs that also affected its content moderation teams could be among the reasons why the companies are not in good terms.
Meanwhile, Platformer also reported that Twitter informed its employees about its plans to raise the price of Twitter Blue from $7.99 to $8, and require users to verify their phone numbers when the service relaunches.
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