External links appear as pop-ups or within in-app purchase flow, taking users directly to TikTok's website without interstitial warning
TikTok under scrutiny for bypassing Apple's App Store guidelines for in-app purchases
TikTok would still owe commission on these purchases, making a 25% discount impossible via Apple's entitlement feature
Users presented with external links to purchase coins directly on TikTok's website instead of using standard in-app purchase flow
Violation of Apple's App Store guidelines could result in temporary or permanent ban from the App Store
TikTok, the popular social media platform, is under scrutiny for potentially bypassing Apple's App Store guidelines and in-app purchase commissions. According to multiple reports from TechCrunch, 9to5Mac, and MacRumors, TikTok users have been presented with external links to purchase coins used for tipping digital creators directly on TikTok's website instead of using the standard in-app purchase flow.
The appearance of these external links varies. Some users see them as pop-ups, while others encounter them within the in-app purchase flow. Opening the link takes users directly to TikTok's website without an interstitial warning, which is against Apple's App Store guidelines.
TikTok would still owe commission on these purchases, making a 25% discount impossible via Apple's entitlement feature. The option only seems to appear for users who buy large amounts of coins, suggesting that TikTok may be hiding it from most users to avoid detection.
Apple has strict App Store guidelines regarding in-app purchases and external linking. Violating these rules could result in a temporary ban from the App Store until TikTok removes the feature. Failure to comply with Apple's guidelines could also lead to a permanent ban, similar to what happened when Epic Games defied them by introducing their own payment system in Fortnite.
Apple will likely face backlash from its user base if TikTok is banned from the App Store. However, legislation requiring TikTok to divest or leave US markets could also impact the app's availability.
TikTok may be bypassing Apple App Store commissions by routing users to a website for purchasing coins used for tipping digital creators.
Users who have access to this option are encouraged to ‘recharge’ or buy more coins via tiktok.com.
Users can purchase packs of coins ranging from 70 coins to 17,500 coins on the website and even enter a custom amount.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by referencing Apple's rules and Fortnite's past actions. However, the author does not explicitly state that TikTok is in violation of these rules or that their actions are identical to Fortnite's.
]Apple did begin to allow developers of select apps to add links to their websites from inside the app back in 2022, but the use case was limited. The only apps that qualify to offer these lines for ‘account management’ are what Apple calls ‘reader’ apps – or those apps that provide access to paid digital content as their main functionality (think: Netflix, not Facebook). In addition, apps that choose to use the External Link Entitlement cannot offer in-app purchases via the App Store as well. It’s an either/or situation.[
Given that TikTok is also offering most of its users the option to buy via in-app purchases, it seems it’s not abiding by the External Link Entitlement rules even if it had been granted the exception (which would be surprising).
Bias
(80%)
The author, Sarah Perez, presents information suggesting that TikTok may be circumventing Apple's App Store commissions by offering users the option to purchase coins used for tipping digital creators via the TikTok website instead of in-app purchases. The article mentions that this feature is hidden from most users and only shown to specific groups, such as high spenders or testers. The author also notes that Apple's External Link Entitlement rules state that apps cannot offer in-app purchases if they provide links to their websites for account management, which TikTok appears to be doing. However, the article does not directly accuse TikTok of intentionally breaking these rules or explicitly state that this is a biased practice. Instead, it presents the information and leaves it up to the reader to draw conclusions.
Image Credits: Screenshot from TikTok app - Users can purchase packs of coins ranging from 70 coins to 17,500 coins or even enter a custom (higher) amount on the web, while inside the app coin packs are available starting at 20 coins up to 16,500 with no option for a custom amount[
Typical IAP flow. Image Credits: Screenshot from TikTok iOS app - Given that TikTok is also offering most of its users the option to buy via in-app purchases, it seems it’s not abiding by the External Link Entitlement rules even if it had been granted the exception (which would be surprising)[
]Users who follow the provided link are taken to the website for buying coins: tiktok.com/coin[
TikTok might be bypassing Apple’s App Store in-app purchase system
Users are presented with a link to the TikTok website to purchase coins instead of using Apple’s in-app purchase flow
High-spenders may be the only ones seeing this new option
Users can save up to 25% when buying coins via the TikTok website
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority and a potential straw man fallacy. The author cites a report from TechCrunch as evidence for their claims without directly providing examples of TikTok's alleged bypassing of Apple's App Store in-app purchase system. Additionally, the author seems to set up a false dichotomy between TikTok's discounted web purchases and Apple's in-app purchase system, implying that using the web option is somehow deceptive or against App Store guidelines when it may simply be an alternative payment method allowed by recent changes.
. . .TechCrunch reports that its tipster saw the option to purchase coins via the web with an account that “had previously purchased a large amount of coins.” This could suggest that TikTok is only presenting the option to high-spenders.
There aren’t any clear details on what exactly is happening here. Apple did revise its App Store Guidelines back in January to allow developers to link to alternative payment systems in their apps.
Additionally, TikTok’s implementation of this new buying option doesn’t include the pop-up message that informs users they are navigating to an external website. This suggests TikTok isn’t using the proper entitlement from Apple, either.
TikTok may be offering users an option to purchase coins outside of the in-app purchase interface.
If TikTok is found to be breaking App Store rules, it could face consequences such as being banned from the app store.
Accuracy
Users who have access to this option are encouraged to 'recharge' or buy more coins via tiktok.com.
Deception
(30%)
The article reports on TikTok potentially circumventing App Store rules by allowing users to purchase coins directly from the website instead of in-app purchases. This is a form of selective reporting as the article only reports details that support the author's position and does not mention any potential reasons why TikTok might be doing this or any potential consequences for users. The article also implies that TikTok is breaking App Store rules without providing concrete evidence, making an assumption based on speculation.
If TikTok is indeed offering customers a way to purchase coins without in-app purchase as suggested by the screenshots from Tesler, then TikTok is breaking Apple’s App Store rules.
Following through and opting to purchase from TikTok.com brings up an interface for using payment options such as PayPal or a credit/debit card.
TikTok appears to be quietly showing some users an option to purchase coins on the web instead of through in-app purchases, circumventing the commission that Apple receives on digital purchases.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by referencing Apple's App Store rules and previous actions against other companies for circumventing in-app purchases. However, the author does not provide any evidence that TikTok is actually breaking these rules or that they are doing so intentionally.
][Apple requires in-app purchase to be used for digital goods and services, and TikTok’s ‘coins’ presumably count as a digital good. If TikTok is indeed offering customers a way to purchase coins without in-app purchase as suggested by the screenshots from Tesler, then TikTok is breaking Apple’s App Store rules.][/1]
TikTok may be trying to bypass App Store guidelines by presenting external links for in-app purchases.
Some TikTok users are being shown external links for coin purchases, offering a supposed discount of 25%.
The appearance of the link varies: some users see it in a pop-up, others in the purchase flow.
Opening the link takes users directly to TikTok’s website without an interstitial warning.
TikTok would still owe commission on these purchases, making a 25% discount impossible via Apple’s entitlement feature.
Accuracy
Users who have access to this option are encouraged to ‘recharge’ or buy more coins via tiktok.com.
Users can purchase packs of coins ranging from 70 coins to 17,500 coins on the website and even enter a custom amount.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by referencing Apple's App Store guidelines and the potential consequences of violating them. However, the author also provides evidence that TikTok may be attempting to circumvent these guidelines by using external links for in-app purchases. This could be considered a form of deception if users are not fully informed that they are leaving the app for an external website to make a purchase.
]Apple has very strict App Store guidelines surrounding what is and isn't allowed for in-app purchase systems and external linking.[
TikTok may be trying to follow in Epic’s ‘Fortnite’ footsteps by sneaking in external payment links that violate App Store guidelines.
However, taking either route opens a direct link to the coins purchase page on TikTok’s website without an interstitial warning to the user.
