Apple is planning to remove Damus, a decentralized social networking app, from its App Store due to alleged violations of the company’s in-app purchase guidelines, according to Damus founder William Casarin.
The app’s removal is the result of a dispute over its Bitcoin tipping feature called “zaps,” which allows users to send and receive Bitcoin payments through the Lightning Network, a blockchain-based protocol known as Nostr. Damus was initially threatened with delisting by the App Store on June 13, and despite making changes to address the issue, Apple’s concerns have not been fully resolved.
Apple’s policy requires a 30% fee for all in-app purchases, and Damus’s Bitcoin tipping feature violates this policy. This violation is the main reason for the app’s expected removal from the platform.
Notably, Damus has received significant support from tech industry figures, including Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. Dorsey, a vocal advocate for Damus and Bitcoin, has reportedly donated around $245,000 in Bitcoin to the platform.
Following the news of the impending removal, Casarin expressed his disappointment in a tweet on Monday and stated that the team would appeal the decision.
While Apple’s final decision is still pending, this case highlights the tension between tech companies and decentralized platforms, particularly in the realm of digital payments and cryptocurrencies.
Compiled by Coinbold