Companies are prohibited from redirecting their users to third-party sites. All transactions must take place on the Apple platform
The Apple Store has updated the usage guide after the release of the new software version for Apple iOS 16.1 devices. The updated guide has rules for applications that work with NFT.
In paragraph 3.1.1. It says that companies can offer the creation (minting), sale and purchase of NFTs in their applications. Applications may allow users to view their own NFT as well as collections of NFT owned by others. This is possible provided the apps do not offer buttons, links, or other means that redirect customers to purchase mechanisms other than in-app purchases.
Thus, all NFT transactions must take place on the Apple platform, the commission of which is 30% of all in-app sales.
In order to better protect customers, support new features in upcoming OS releases, and ensure that your apps are reviewed as quickly as possible, the App Store Review Guidelines have been updated.
- Before You Submit: Revisions “Give App Review complete access to your application. Provide either an active demo account or a fully functional demo mode, as well as any additional hardware or resources that may be required to review your app (such as login information or a sample QR code).”
- The phrase “hookup” apps and other apps that might contain pornography or be used to facilitate prostitution, human trafficking, or other forms of exploitation are included in the revised 1.1.4.
- 1.1.7 was added to the definition to read, “Harmful concepts which capitalize or seek to profit on recent or current events, such as violent conflicts, terrorist attacks, and epidemics.”
- The following was added to section 2.1: “With prior approval from Apple, you may include a built-in demo mode in place of a demo account if you are unable to provide a demo account due to legal or security obligations. Make sure the demo mode showcases all the features and functionality of your app.
- Added 2.5.17: “Apps that support Matter must initiate pairing using Apple’s support framework for Matter. Additionally, the software component must be certified by the Connectivity Standards Alliance for the platform it runs on if you decide to use any Matter software component in your app other than the Matter SDK provided by Apple.
- Translation of the following sentence from 3.1.7 to 2.5.18: “Display advertising should be restricted to your main app binary and should not be present in extensions, App Clips, widgets, notifications, keyboards, watchOS apps, etc. The ads that appear in an app must be appropriate for the app’s age rating, must allow the user to view all the information that was used to target them for that ad (without forcing the user to leave the app), and may not use targeted or behavioral advertising based on sensitive user data, such as health/medical data (for example, from the HealthKit APIs), school and classroom data (for example, from ClassKit), or data from children (for example, from apps in the Kids Category). Advertisements that are interstitial or interfere with or obstruct the user experience must expressly state this.
- Revision 3.1.1: “Apps may not use their own mechanisms, such as license keys, augmented reality markers, QR codes, cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency wallets, etc., to unlock content or functionality.”
- “Apps may use in-app purchases to sell and sell services related to non-fungible tokens (NFTs), such as minting, listing, and transferring,” was added to section 3.1.1. As long as NFT ownership does not unlock features or functionality within the app, apps may let users view their own NFTs. Users of apps may browse NFT collections owned by third parties, but only if the apps don’t contain buttons, external links, or other calls to action that point users to alternative purchasing options to in-app purchases.
- 3.1.3(g) was added, which states: “Advertising Management Apps: Apps for the sole purpose of allowing advertisers (individuals or businesses that advertise a good, service, or event) to buy and manage advertising campaigns across media types (television, outdoor, websites, apps, etc.) do not need to use in-app purchase. These apps don’t actually show the advertisements; they are used to manage campaigns. It is necessary to use in-app purchases for digital purchases of content that is experienced or consumed within an app, including purchasing advertisements to display within that app (such as the sale of “boosts” for posts within a social media app).
- “Exchanges: Apps may facilitate transactions or transmissions of cryptocurrency on an approved exchange, provided they are made available only in countries or regions where the app has the necessary licensing and permissions to provide a cryptocurrency exchange,” according to the revised 3.1.5(iii).
- Revision 5.2.5: “Music from iTunes and Apple Music previews may not be used for its amusement value (for example, as the soundtrack to a game or the background music to a photo collage) or in any other unauthorized way. You must display a link to the corresponding music in iTunes or Apple Music if you provide music previews from those services.
In addition, the rules prohibit companies from using their own tools to unlock content or features (including license keys, cryptocurrencies and crypto wallets, QR codes, etc.).
Working with cryptocurrencies under the new rules is possible only through exchange applications, provided that they are offered only in countries or regions where the application is licensed or officially approved to work with cryptocurrencies.
