Apple Exec Initially Opposed 27% App Store Commission, Court Testimony Reveals

Apple Fellow Phil Schiller testified in court that he initially raised concerns about Apple's plan to charge a 27% commission on app purchases made outside the App Store. He argued this presented compliance risks, could create an antagonistic relationship with developers, and required Apple to audit developers. While Apple claims compliance with a 2021 court ruling allowing alternative payment methods, they only reduced the commission by 3%, prompting Epic Games to accuse Apple of “bad-faith” compliance. The case is back in court to determine if Apple violated the original order. Schiller's testimony revealed internal Apple debates on the commission, including analyses of the impact on developers using external links, considering user experience, developer adoption, and financial implications. Ultimately, Apple CEO Tim Cook and other executives decided to proceed with the commission, though with additional discounts for smaller developers.