Pluralistic: Apple vs the “free market” (15 Aug 2024) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
pluralistic.net

Every artist, performer and creator on Patreon is about to get screwed out of 30% of their gross revenue, which will be diverted to Apple, the most valuable company on the planet. Apple contributes nothing to their work, but it will get to steal a third of their wages. How is this possible? Enshittification.

  • slugworth@lemmy.world
    57·
    3 months ago

    Easy solution, just delete the Patreon app from your phone. There’s really no need for it anyway, just use the website.

    • tburkhol@lemmy.world
      211·
      3 months ago

      The Android app should still be fine. I’d expect Apple’s move to be followed by a lot of creators adding a “Don’t use the iOS Patreon app” to their profiles.

      I mean, apps that are just the website are a bad idea in the first place, but this specific problem is entirely contained to the iOS app. If some people prefer an app to a bookmark, that’s on them.

      • deranger@sh.itjust.works
        4·
        3 months ago

        I use the app but all my subs are done through the website. It’s nice getting notifications for new podcast episodes.

        Is Apple going to try and stop this? How would they even do that short of removing the app from the App Store ? I already don’t pay for anything in any iOS apps if there’s an alternative method.

      • kent_eh@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        3 months ago

        I’d expect Apple’s move to be followed by a lot of creators adding a “Don’t use the iOS Patreon app”

        I’ve already received similar posts from a couple of patreon accounts I follow.

    • Anonymouse@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      3 months ago

      I think you’re missing the point.of the essay. He seems to be saying that Apple has decided what content you should be viewing and that they have captured the “free market” because no amount of consumer crying will change it.

      Consuming the content another way won’t affect Apple in any way since they’ll keep repeating their behavior. The author is saying that the government regulators need to get involved to restore your rights on what you can do with a device that you purchased. Near the end he even goes on to say that you (a consumer) have implicitly waived your right to sue Apple for this.

      I guess the only option is to vote or maybe not use Apple products (but are the alternatives any better?)