Apple has updated the rules of its App Store, but this update will be bad news for anyone who has, or could have, any type of paid subscription, as the new rules will allow developers to raise the price of their subscriptions and automatically renew them as well. Without the express permission of the users.
Apple calls the new rule an "auto-renewable subscription price increase" and says that there are some conditions that developers will need to follow in order for them to apply for the renewal, including that any prices above 50% will not be eligible to that rule.
Weekly and monthly subscriptions are also limited to an increment of $5, while annual subscriptions cannot raise prices by more than $50.
Subscriptions exceeding these caps will not automatically renew, and users will be required to first agree to price changes, and ignoring the price increase warning in this case will mean that your subscription will expire, and you will lose access to the Service after the next renewal period.
The option to renew the subscription will also be activated if the subscription prices are raised more than once a year.
This is intended to stop dodgy apps that may repeatedly raise the price in small increments over the course of several months.
This is not the first time that news of such a modification of subscription services has been circulated, but this time Apple has made it official.
TechCrunch reported that the modification was in testing stages last month, while a user named Max Seeleman received one of the price change notices at the end of March.
iOS biz people… Subscription price increase as mere NOTICE instead of having to confirm, else subs expires.
Is this new behavior for everyone or exclusive to Disney+?
pic.twitter.com/zt7c15QcTA
— Max Seelemann (@macguru17) March 24, 2022
Apple says it will warn users of price hikes via email, mobile notifications and in-app messages.
Based on Silman's tweet above, the notice appears very prominent.
So, it is not as if the user will be completely in trouble when the day of renewal comes, provided they pay attention to the warnings that appear on their device.
Although there may be a button to review a user's subscription preferences, it takes more effort to opt out than to provide an option to opt out and let it lapse.
And the “tomsguide” website, which specializes in technology, sees that the new amendments appear to be an unusual move by the company, and said that the responsible authorities must take strict measures regarding any type of hidden costs in the services provided by technology companies, to ensure that users are informed. For every penny they will have to pay.
And if you have any subscription to any service through the Apple App Store, you will have to pay close attention to the notifications you receive, and make sure that you do not spend them without thinking, otherwise your credit card bill will increase without knowing.