- Apple has reportedly pushed Patreon to adopt its own payment systems for iOS
- This exposes payees and creators to the dreaded 30% transaction fee
- So what’s going on with this whole thing?
Apple has been getting it in the neck once more because of their 30% transaction fees on iOS. But surprisingly it’s not from Epic boss Tim Sweeney, or even because of their actions related to games. No, this time it’s because of their strong-arming changes to popular creator-support platform Patreon.
For those not in the know, Patreon is a platform that lets fans of creators – ranging from artists to developers and YouTube essayists – pay a monthly or occasionally one-off fee to help support their work. Naturally, this means payments are processed by a variety of means, but Patreon now claims Apple is forcing them to adopt their own payment systems and consequently the infamous 30% transaction fee.
You may note that the 30% fee kicked off the ongoing saga of the battle between Epic Games and Apple, amongst others. It’s also something that Epic boss Tim Sweeney has often railed against in his inimitable evangelist style.
However, if there was ever anything that might backfire on Apple, it’s this move. While many (me included) are sceptical of the out-and-out altruistic concerns of major industry players like Tim Sweeney, there are few who won’t harbour at least some sympathies for put-upon creators.
A 30% fee, especially one now being imposed after Patreon happily chugged along for years on iOS, comes across as little more than- well, what’s a nice way of saying “naked greed”? And it’s not as if Apple hasn’t put its foot in it recently, only having to back down again.
Of course, that’s assuming it isn’t more complex than what we’re being let in on.
You have to remember that the war of words between Apple, other platform holders and Epic is anything but. With Epic most recently departing the Samsung Galaxy store in favour of the AltStore in the EU.
