Apple is doing it again: slowing down innovation. This time, the billion-dollar company is attacking the decentralized social media platform Nostr and its Bitcoin payment function. The developers of the associated iOS app, Damus, should adhere to the guidelines and disable the donation function, according to one communication. If they do not comply with the demand, the app could be deactivated – a setback for Bitcoin adoption.
“Your app allows users to send donations to receive digital content through a mechanism other than the in-app purchase feature,” Apple said in a message to Damus. It goes on to say, “Although donations may be optional, when associated with receipt of digital content, they must comply with the in-app purchase feature of Policy 3.1.1.” Apple gives the Nostr application an ultimatum: either the Bitcoin payment function will disappear within 14 days – or the entire app.
Damus bows to pressure: Is Apple wrong?
Consequently, in order to remain in the App Store, the Zap function would have to be removed, “which we will probably do,” according to Damus developer William Casarin explained. Users can still interact with each other. However, there is a catch: If there is no donation function, Damus is “a dead platform for Bitcoin applications trying to innovate on Lightning,” they say.
Apple is wrong with its definition of digital content at Damus. At least that’s what the developers claim. “Damus does not sell digital goods and does not provide functionality to sell digital goods. It only has a donation function to facilitate P2P transactions Explanation. Many Twitter users agree, including Lightning developer Rene Pickhardt. In his opinion According to Apple, it would therefore also have to “ban browser apps because this allows users to use a web wallet [für Bezahlungen] to be able to use.”
Apple in the crypto sector: a double-edged sword
It’s not the first time that Apple’s policies have slowed down innovation in the crypto sector. The technology giant is also repeatedly met with displeasure in the NFT industry. Apple does allow the sale of non-fungible tokens. However, start-ups have to pay a fee of around 30 percent on each transaction for their service. As a result, many companies have restricted certain functionalities on the iPhone versions of their platforms. Something similar is now blooming in the Nostr app.
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In contrast, crypto fans are pinning their hopes for a working metaverse on Apple. With the release of in-house VR glasses, the market for virtual worlds should flourish again. “Metaverse Shitcoins will pump so hard, it won’t be fun,” writes about Udi Wertheimer on Twitter. It remains to be seen whether Apple can actually revive the metaverse and the hype surrounding the associated tokens.
Earn bitcoin with social media posts
Anyone who has been in the crypto space in recent months will have noticed that, alongside Twitter, Nostr is extremely popular with bitcoiners in particular. Any self-respecting Satoshi disciple is now active on the platform. Nostr stands for Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays. This is a communication protocol. But unlike Twitter, Nostr relies on decentralized structures instead of a CEO.
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A special feature are the zaps. Nostr posts can not only be shared, liked or commented on. There is also the option to reward a post with a Lightning payment. So if you particularly like a contribution, you can honor it with a few Satoshis at your own discretion – on a voluntary basis, of course. You can find out how much money can be earned via Nostr in the practical test in the May issue of the BTC-ECHO magazine.
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