According to the latest report, in another attempt to circumvent Apple’s App Store in-app purchase commissions, Facebook launched a new website on Tuesday to allow users to purchase virtual items called “Stars” to support creators during the live broadcast.
Facebook’s Stars are usually purchased through iOS and Android in-app purchases, but now the company will redirect users to purchase Stars through its new web page. In this way, Facebook does not have to pay Apple and Google a 30% rake fee.
Facebook said in a blog post that users will now be able to “get more Stars at a lower price. Today we launched the Stars store, which is a website where people can use Facebook Pay to buy Stars and give them to creators.
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Stars purchased on the Stars store on their mobile phones or desktops will be deposited into people’s virtual wallets so that they can broadcast live on Facebook Or send it to eligible creators when the video is on-demand. In the Stars store, fans can get more Stars at a lower price, so they can support more creators they like.”
Moreover, in order to encourage users to buy Stars through the website instead of the Facebook application, the company now offers a special reward. For example, when buying 530 Stars for $9.99, the user can get 420 Stars as a reward.
This is not the first time Facebook has criticized and tried to avoid App Store and Google Play commissions. Last month, the company launched a custom link for creators, allowing them to use Facebook Pay online instead of its mobile app to receive payments. In 2020, Facebook accused Apple of harming small businesses with 30% of its App Store rake.
Apple has been facing legal challenges related to the App Store’s rake, but so far, the company has not been forced to allow developers to use other in-app payment systems because the company appealed the judge’s ruling.
