Apple Urges WeChat Not To Avoid App Store Commission Fees

WeChat avoids App Store commission fees (photo: dock. App Store)

JAKARTA WeChat, Tencent's messaging platform and social media, continues to circumvent Apple's policy of paying commissions. The company did not remain silent and urged Tencent to comply with the policy. Apple asked Tencent not to avoid the in-app purchasing system. Responding to this request, Tencent said that they wanted to get fair terms, both for the company and for Apple. To investors, Tencent's Chief of Strategy James Mitchell said that his party was discussing with Apple to enable in-app support. The outcome of this discussion is expected to end positively. "We want to provide it with provisions that we consider to be sustainable economically, and fairly. So, that's the ongoing discussion and we hope that the discussion yields positive results," Mitchell said. Although the discussion is both still going well, there is a possibility that Tencent and Apple will not reach a favorable agreement. If this happens, Tencent will not continue the discussion process and, "the current status quo will continue."

Apple urges Tencent because WeChat does not use an in-app purchasing system every time users buy mini or game apps on the platform. Tencent is also considered to direct users to an external payment system. With so many purchases through an external payment system, WeChat can avoid payments of 30 percent which includes the cost burden for the App Store. If Tencent does not comply with Apple's policy, WeChat app updates will be blocked.