Key takeaways:
- Apple notified the Nostr-based Damus app that it must follow the guidelines or risk being removed within 14 days.
- Apple’s warning explicitly highlighted that the Zaps feature in Damus violates its policy
In a shocking turn of events, tech giant Apple has made a firm decision to remove the popular Damus app from its App Store. The reason behind this unprecedented action is the app’s inclusion of a Bitcoin tipping feature, which Apple believes violates its strict policies regarding cryptocurrency transactions.
Damus, a widely used app for social networking and content sharing, has gained immense popularity in recent years, making this move by Apple all the more significant.
Damus, renowned for its tipping feature called “zaps,” allows users to send Bitcoin to content creators through the Lightning Network. However, it seems that this feature has violated Apple’s terms by bypassing the company’s in-app purchase mechanism. In a recent tweet on June 13, Damus clarified that it does not involve the sale of digital goods or provide features for selling such goods.
Instead, it simply offers a tip button to enable peer-to-peer transactions akin to popular payment platforms like Venmo or CashApp.
Apple emphasized that even if the tipping feature is optional, users who are connected to or associated with receiving digital content must use in-app purchases according to guideline 3.1.1. The Damus team viewed Apple’s warning as a significant moment with significant implications for platforms that support peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions.
According to a tweet from the Damus project, Apple has notified them that in order to prevent any disruption in the availability of their app on the App Store, they must submit an update within 14 days from the date of the message. Apple stated that if they do not receive an update that complies with the App Store Review Guidelines within this timeframe, the app will be removed from sale.
The timing of this news is crucial for Damus and its creator, especially considering their scheduled talk at the Oslo Freedom Forum. The talk was intended to explore the potential of decentralized social networks, incorporating lightning technology to empower individuals with financial freedom.
However, with the imminent removal of Damus from the App Store, concerns arise regarding the ability to engage in peer-to-peer transactions on the platform. This situation also has wider implications for other apps that rely on Lightning integration and value-for-value models within the app store ecosystem.
Damus previously experienced a ban in China due to its decentralized nature and potential for unrestricted content sharing. This ban, coupled with the App Store removal, underscores the increasing scrutiny faced by platforms that promote decentralized features and alternative financial systems.
