Apple’s Warning: Bitcoin Tip Feature Endangers Social Media Platform Damus

Damus, the Nostr-based social media platform, has been given 14 days by Apple to update its app or face a ban due to its Bitcoin “tip” feature.

While decentralized applications (dApps) are gaining prominence, they still need the support of centralized platforms like Android’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store.

Apple Ultimatum

Damus shared screenshots of Apple’s warning texts on Twitter, wherein Apple asked it to update the app within 14 days or face removal from the App Store.

 Apple’s warning reads:

“We noticed that your app allows users to send “tips” associated with receiving content from digital content creators with a mechanism other than in-app purchase.

Although tips or donations may be optional, if they are connected to or associated with receiving digital content, they must use in-app purchase in accordance with guideline 3.1.1”

Launched in January this year, Damus gained popularity amongst the crypto community. The platform is backed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and reached the top 10 spot on social networking charts days after its launch.

No Point in Arguing

Damus finds the warning suspicious as it comes ahead of the platform’s speech at the Oslo Freedom Forum. Moreover, the platform explains that it does not sell any digital goods and “it simply has a tip buttons for facilitating p2p transactions like Venmo or Cash App.”

Following Apple’s warning, the community has been speculating how Damus’ “tip” feature differs from Twitter’s tips. Some believe that it is largely due to the size of the app’s audience.

A Twitter user wrote, “For instance, Facebook routinely gets away with violating App Store rules knowing that Apple is never going to delist them.”

Whereas another user wrote:

“There’s no point in arguing, at the end of the day it’s up to Apple what is allowed on iOS.”

It is worth noting that Apple allowed the listing of Axie Infinity: Origins in May. However, the game has no non-fungible token (NFT) or other direct payment elements yet.

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For BeInCrypto’s latest Bitcoin (BTC) analysis, click here.