Once again, and to no one’s surprise, Elon Musk would delay the relaunch of payment verifications through Twitter Blue. This is indicated by a recent report from PlatformerTherefore, if confirmed, the subscription will wait a while longer and we will not see it in action on December 2, as expected.
The reason behind this determination would be in the crusade that the businessman has recently started against Apple for App Store fees. Discontent that, in turn, comes from the decision of those from Cupertino to stop advertising on Twitter.
According to the aforementioned media, the new version of Twitter Blue would no longer be offered as an in-app purchase. The platform would look for an alternative method to provide its subscription without having to give a slice of its income to those on the block. Not a minor fact, considering that, at least until now, paid verifications were only available as a transaction in app from Twitter for iOS.
For now, no details have been provided on what other path the social network would take to offer this feature. But if the story is worth anything, it is to show that Apple has not had compassion when it comes to punishing developers who skipped its payment gateway. The case of Epic Games and Fortnite is the most notorious, of course.
However, there are also nuances to the story. Let’s remember that in some countries —South Korea, for example—, Apple has been forced to allow third-party payment methods. While specifically in the European Union, the Digital Markets Law will not only force you to allow alternative payment methods, but also third-party app stores and sideloading. Although certainly These are not measures from which Elon Musk can profit immediately for Twitter Blue.
A new delay of Twitter Blue, with the spotlight on Apple
In addition to the apparent evasion of App Store commissions, the renewed Twitter Blue would come with other changes. According to Platformerits price would be rounded up to $8 per month, against the $7.99 it originally cost, while validation would be required through a phone number to give the check mark.
Recall that Elon Musk confirmed that new payment verifications would be reviewed manually to prevent another spoofing disaster. While two new color brands would be implemented to the already traditional check blue. A golden one for companies and brands, and a gray one for politicians and government representatives. While the common people, along with celebrities and other personalities, will continue with blue.
For the time being, we will have to wait to find out if, indeed, the relaunch of Twitter Blue is long overdue on December 2. And as the social network works around the clock to reinstate a much-needed monetization avenue, Elon Musk has chosen to stick out his claws and spend much of his energy criticizing Apple in his tweets.
The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX not only targeted those of Cupertino for the App Store commissions and their advertising disinvestment on Twitter; It has also accused them of censorship and of threatening to withdraw the app of the social network from its application store.. The latter would be related to the lack of moderation and the return of profiles suspended for proliferating hate speech —Donald Trump among them.
For now, Apple has not come out to respond publicly to Elon Musk, and probably never will. The truth is, if Twitter Blue subscriptions ultimately violate the terms of the App Store, we will have trouble for a while.