Apple's NFT Guidelines
And why the move has Black-Berry vibes
Apple has updated it’s App Store’s Guidelines this past October 24th. This update has significant changes within the Crypto-Blockchain Industry
The Update starts adding features aimed at reducing pornography and human trafficking within the App-Store. Then comes the newly added Section 3.1.1
This revised section states that “Apps may not use their own mechanisms to unlock content or functionality, such as license keys, augmented reality markers, QR codes, cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency wallets, etc.”
In addition to: “Apps may use in-app purchase to sell and sell services related to non-fungible tokens (NFTs), such as minting, listing, and transferring. Apps may allow users to view their own NFTs, provided that NFT ownership does not unlock features or functionality within the app. Apps may allow users to browse NFT collections owned by others, provided that the apps may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase.”
With the “block” on all possibilities of unlockable features, people will be forced to go into a computer to claim access to these.
Also, Apple is going after NFT collection’s revenue. Many creators will find a way around this feature such as Spotify, where you can only get a subscription through the webpage
Also, the newly added section 3.1.5 (iii): states that “Exchanges are Apps that may facilitate transactions or transmissions of cryptocurrency on an approved exchange, provided they are offered only in countries or regions where the app has appropriate licensing and permissions to provide a cryptocurrency exchange”
Apple is doing two important things here:
They are optimizing user-experience (UX):
It has been shown people react better to the technology when it’s applied and not so much when creators geek-out about their tech. (Reddit example, check previous newsletter)
They are going after NFT’s revenue and making the market more expensive:
Adding a “tax” on any product drives up prices for both the producer and the consumer. Making everything a little bit more expensive