WordPress is one of the most popular Content Management System (CMS). And because it has an app for iOS users, there were some confusions.
In the midst of an ongoing battle between Apple and Epic Games, which resulted the former in booting the latter's Fortnite app, Apple also clashed with WordPress over a similar dispute.
WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg reported that the WordPress app for iOS was "locked" due to the lack of updates.
While the app itself doesn't offer any monetary transaction capabilities at all, it was suggested the app was blocked because it was possible for users to see a page within the app's Help Center discussing upgrades to paid plans.
This is in reference to WordPress' paid hosting offerings, which are managed from the website, not the app.
WordPress in mentioning the support page for the website version was seen by Apple as a way to bypass its in-app payment system, which is against the payment section of Apple's developer agreement.
Heads up on why @WordPressiOS updates have been absent... we were locked by App Store. To be able to ship updates and bug fixes again we had to commit to support in-app purchases for .com plans. I know why this is problematic, open to suggestions. Allow others IAP? New name?
— Matt Mullenweg (@photomatt) August 21, 2020
The issue however, was "resolved" overnight, with Apple "issuing a rare on-the-record apology".
This follows after the developers of the app removed the references.
Matt Mullenweg had told Apple that WordPress had removed all of the references, but Apple at first was more intent on saying that WordPress was trying to circumvent its 30% price cut.
But after Apple received Mullenweg's message loud and clear, Apple clarified the situation with the WordPress iOS app and apologized.
The Cupertino-based company apologized for the mistake it made, which blocked developer updates to the app until WordPress can properly add in-app purchases, despite the app not including any functionality involving payments.
"My life's mission, and the purpose of WordPress, is to increase the freedom of the internet. I hope in addition to native apps people continue to create websites and web apps that provide accessibility, autonomy, and freedom to the widest audience," Mullenweg said.
This isn't the first time that Apple quarrels with third-party app developers.
Besides the Epic Games' case which landed Apple in a lawsuit, Apple is also receiving heavy backlash by many news agencies as well as others.
Apple is also frowned upon by Facebook and Microsoft.
This is because Apple has the desire to not have gaming titles ship that might not function properly on an iPhone because of system constraints. This however, does not apply so well to the cloud gaming world, where apps are translating button presses to the cloud and the cloud responding by sending them back the next engine-rendered frames of the game.
Apple is being forced to get pretty particular about what types of apps fall under the “reader” designation. And the rules arrive after the company already launched Apple Arcade, a non-cloud gaming product.
I am very grateful that folks at Apple re-reviewed @WordPressiOS and have let us know we do not need to implement in-app purchases to be able to continue to update the app. Bad news travels faster than good, usually, so please consider sharing that they reversed course.
— Matt Mullenweg (@photomatt) August 23, 2020