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TikTok may be spread-eagle around the App Store to save money on commission . allot to new findings , the ByteDance - owned social television app is present some of its exploiter with a link to a website for purchase the coins used for lean digital creators . Typically , these coin are buy via in - app purchase , which require a 30 % commission paid to Apple .
The feature may be hide from most users , either by design or because it ’s only show to users in a specific group , like testers or gamy Stephen Spender . In any event , those who do have access to the new option are seeing a screen that encourage them to “ reload ” — that is , buy more coins — via tiktok.com . Although these screenshots were discovered within the iOS app by TechCrunch tipsterDavid Tesler , it ’s not clear how many TikTok substance abuser are seeing them or when or how they ’re being show .
Tesler says the pick to purchase via the web was displayed to an account that had antecedently purchased a large amount of coins .
In some shell , users are shown a screen that include a content such as “ Try recharging on tiktok.com to avoid in - app overhaul fees ” comply by a “ adjudicate now ” radio link . Other times , they may get a pop - up that say “ test recharging on tiktok.com ” with another substance about the possible savings . This one reads , “ you’re able to save the divine service fee and get access to pop payment methods , ” and is follow by a big , red “ try out now ” push or a less striking option that tell “ Do n’t show again . ”
On the connection , user can buy packs of coins ranging from 70 coin to 17,500 coins , or even enter a usage ( higher ) amount . Inside the app , however , coin packs are available pop at 20 coin up to 16,500 with no option for a usance amount .
That could suggest TikTok is only showing the web links to those substance abuser who typically buy large pack of coin at one time .
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While Apple did begin to allow for developers of select apps toadd links to their web site from inside the appback in 2022 , the use case was limited . The only apps that qualify to provide these melody for “ account management ” are what Apple calls “ reader ” apps — or those apps that allow access to pay digital subject as their chief functionality ( reckon : Netflix , not Facebook ) . In add-on , apps that choose to use the External Link Entitlement can not offer in - app purchases via the App Store as well . It ’s an either / or situation .
Given that TikTok is also offer most of its drug user the pick to buy via in - app purchases , it seems it ’s not stick out by the External Link Entitlement predominate even if it had been granted the exclusion ( which would be surprising ) .
TikTok and Apple have not returned postulation for input at this time . TikTok ’s helpdocumentationabout coins say they ’re available for leverage and reload through the App Store and Google Play on mobile devices .
Teslernotedthat when Fortnite introduce an option that routed users around Apple ’s in - app purchases , Applebannedthe app from the App Store . It ’s indecipherable what , if any , action Apple will take against TikTok now , given the current political science around the Beijing - based app .
In 2020 , Fortnite was polish off from the app store for a standardized interface in which they presented exploiter with an option to get around orchard apple tree in - app purchasespic.twitter.com/LLcilXEUQb
— David Tesler ( @getdavenow)April 30 , 2024
TikTok ’s current U.S. fate is incertain , as a note to ban the app has nowbeen contract into lawby President Biden . However , the company said it design to fight the ban in motor lodge , as it did before underPresident cornet . Biden had originallyput the movement to ban the appon hold until a new bipartisan greenback exceed both the House and Senate .
UPDATE , 5/1/24 , 8 PM ET : We now have extra entropy related to how TikTok may be referencing its coin “ recharging ” website within its iOS app . Technologist and reverse engineerChris Messinainvestigated the latest physical body of the TikTok iOS app and institute references to a KYC ( know your client ) completion discount of 15 % , as well as references to “ webcoin ” and marketing messages point to user that push how they can save up to 30 % when buying coins on TikTok ’s internet site instead of in the app through “ in - app purchase . ”
( All images below are Chris Messina ’s , used with permission ):
