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Once Again, Apple Isn't Following Its Own Advertising Rules (theverge.com)

Posted by msmash on from the my-way-or-highway dept.

Apple News Plus, the company's new magazine (and news) subscription service, is the latest offender because of how easy Apple makes it to subscribe. From a report: Just tap that "Try it Free" button, confirm your payment, and you're off to the races. Thing is, Apple forbids developers from making things seem quite this simple. Typically, Apple protects users from recurring fees by requiring developers to make those numbers so large on the screen that it's painfully obvious what you're getting into, how often you'll pay, and how to cancel if you decide you're not interested anymore. Here are some screenshots from Apple's dev website so you can see just how crystal-clear the developer "guidelines" are. For whatever reason, Apple decided that a cleaner, more attractive layout, one that hides some of the information it asks of developers, was the right choice for Apple News Plus.

2 of 44 comments (clear)

  1. "Free trials" with payment required are not free by Opportunist · · Score: 3, Informative

    Any "free trials" that want your payment details in advance are not free trials, they're a subscription waiting to bite you in the ass. And since Apple pretty much has your payment details already as soon as you are one of their victims, there is no such thing as a free trial from Apple, period.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  2. Seems they comply by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    While i dislike apple, reading their actual requirements, it seems their own app does fulfill those:

    Include the following in the app description and in your app’s signup screen:
    o Subscription name, duration, and the content or services provided during each subscription period
    o The following information about how users are charged and can manage the subscription:
    oo Payments are charged to the user’s Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase.
    oo Subscriptions automatically renew unless the user cancels at least 24 hours before the end of the current period.
    oo The account is charged for renewal within 24-hours before the end of the current period.
    oo Users can manage and cancel subscriptions in their account settings on the App Store.
    o A link to your app’s Terms of Use