Last Friday, Apple made headlines for all the wrong
reasons. It has forced WordPress to monetize its free app by compelling it to
sell all of its premium plans and custom domain names. All of this was forced
upon a comparatively smaller company so that Apple could get its traditional 30 percent
cut.

However, Apple backed out after social media
outrage and when the internet erupted. In addition, the company has issued an apology and promised that
WordPress would no longer be forced to add in-app purchases from now onwards.

Following is their statement:

“We believe the
issue with the WordPress app has been resolved. Since the developer removed the
display of their service payment options from the app, it is now a free
stand-alone app and does not have to offer in-app purchases. We have informed
the developer and apologize for any confusion that we have caused.”

Apple has positioned this as the developer has done
the right thing and removed all the displays of the payment options from the
app. However, there’s speculation that this was technically done months ago.

Till yesterday, WordPress didn’t mention anything
regarding selling. The old users may have the plans section but sources have
revealed that they don’t have any power to purchase anything. Matt Mullenweg
said that Apple succeeded in making him add Apple’s in-app purchases (IAP).

Mullenweg has also confirmed that he has made offers
in the past to strip other mentions regarding the paid plan from the app but
all of those proposals were rejected by Apple.

It’s interesting to see Apple walk away from a 30
percent cut but we all know it’s to reduce the damage that its reputation has bared
ever since their plans to force in-app purchases got leaked.