John Gruber asks the relevant question for Apple’s new linking rules:

Here’s a simple thought I had today regarding whether Apple’s new External Purchase Links entitlement policy is a good faith compliance with Judge Gonzales’ order: Will any developers actually choose to use it?

It is hard to imagine even a single developer using this entitlement, even among the many developers like me who want to link outside the store. It doesn’t save money and just creates a whole new headache of tracking users and extra bookkeeping.

Michael Bond

@manton I don’t agree with Gruber a lot these days, but he nails it here.

@manton there’s quite a lot of value in having the billing information for your customers. And also risk.

Stephen Collins

@manton I only see this as valuable for companies as large as a Microsoft. Where they want more of their customers data and contact information and don’t mind the extra work to get it.

Manton Reece @manton
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