The explosive growth of TikTok has not only revolutionized social media but also piqued the interest of tech enthusiasts due to its apparent ability to avoid paying hefty app store commissions. Epic Games, the company behind popular games like Fortnite, has been at the forefront of challenging the commission structures of app stores such as Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
The saga between Epic Games and app stores began when Epic defied Apple and Google’s rules by implementing its own payment system in the Fortnite app, thereby bypassing the 30% commission typically charged by these platforms. This move led to Fortnite being removed from both app stores, prompting Epic to file lawsuits against Apple and Google for anti-competitive behavior.
Interestingly, TikTok seems to have adopted a different approach to circumvent these app store commissions. Instead of openly challenging the rules like Epic Games did, TikTok has devised a cunning strategy that involves redirecting users to its website for downloading the app. By doing so, TikTok cleverly bypasses the app store commissions since users are not acquiring the app directly from the App Store or Google Play.
This strategic move by TikTok highlights the increasing scrutiny app stores face over their commission structures and the power they wield over developers. While Epic Games chose a confrontational approach that resulted in a legal battle, TikTok’s subtle maneuvering demonstrates that there are alternative ways for companies to navigate the complex landscape of app store regulations.
As the debate over app store commissions rages on, TikTok’s evasion tactic serves as a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of tech companies in adapting to challenges in the industry. Whether this loophole will be closed or if other companies will follow TikTok’s lead remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the battle between app developers and app stores is far from over.
