Decentralized social media app Damus may face the axe from the Apple App Retailer over its Bitcoin (BTC) tipping function.
On June 13, the creators behind Damus shared a warning letter from Apple, which acknowledged the app can be faraway from the platform due to the “Zaps” function permitting folks to tip customers and content material creators in Bitcoin. The function was made attainable by integrating the Lighting Community widget to make Bitcoin funds and recommendations on the platform.
In its warning, Apple mentioned the Zaps function violates its coverage prohibiting any type of tipping function apart from in-app purchases. The tech large acknowledged that regardless that the tipping function could also be optionally available, “in the event that they [users] are related to or related to receiving digital content material, they have to use in-app buy in accordance with guideline 3.1.1.“
The Damus workforce known as it a watershed second with enormous implications for platforms with peer-to-peer (P2P) assist. The workforce additionally clarified that Damus doesn’t promote digital items or present options for promoting digital items. It merely has tip buttons for facilitating P2P transactions like Venmo or Money App.
Damus can be faraway from the app retailer in 14 days, apple says zaps should not allowed on their platform as a result of they *may* be utilized by content material creators to promote digital content material. That is proper earlier than we’re about to provide our speak on the oslo freedom discussion board on how decentralized social… pic.twitter.com/uAK1U0UBet
— Damus⚡️ (@damusapp) June 13, 2023
Bitcoin and crypto tipping has grow to be fairly fashionable on social media platforms, with Twitter and Reddit enabling the function. The crypto tipping function makes manner for P2P transactions that don’t require an middleman to course of. Apple itself authorized the “Recreation of Birds” app with Bitcoin tipping in 2015.
Zaps on Twitter good ✅
Zaps on @damusapp dangerous ❌Damus is being pressured to take away this function, whats up with that? pic.twitter.com/nnq6ytna1I
— Damus⚡️ (@damusapp) June 13, 2023
One Nostr creator, who goes by the Twitter identify, Walker, highlighted that Apple’s concern with Zaps was wrongly positioned as a result of Damus is just not promoting any digital content material, and the creator requested the tech large to rectify its mistake.
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Many different crypto proponents additionally questioned how recommendations on Twitter are acceptable, however the identical function on Damus violates Apple’s insurance policies. Others accused Apple of defending the pursuits of Silicon Valley.
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