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Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

developer.apple.com

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Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#181

Post by asdff »

8note wrote: post #72
tshaddox wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In California the New York Times still requires you to chat with a customer support person on their website. You still have to wait in queue, then wait for the person (or maybe it's a bot at this point) paste in several attempts at retaining your subscription. The law needs to be that you can cancel all recurring payments through a standard interface. It's ludicrous that my online banking account doesn't just show me…

I should be able to tell my credit card company that I'm ending a subscription, and have them be in charge of notifying the provider that the subscription has been terminated

you can do that already. just issue a chargeback and poof.

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#182

Post by gumby »

enos_feedler wrote: post #86
widowlark wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

it buffers you from dark billing patterns of all companies except apple

I’d be interested to hear what dark billing patterns you are seeing rn with Apple?

Here’s one: they advertise “family” accounts: you buy an app and your purchase also covers your spouse.

But your spouse has to know you (or which family member) bought it and click on their name in “family sharing” to get it for free. Else spouse will pay for it again.

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#183

Post by asdff »

sergiotapia wrote: post #139
8note wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I should be able to tell my credit card company that I'm ending a subscription, and have them be in charge of notifying the provider that the subscription has been terminated

Any banks that offer this service? I would switch my primary banking service for this.

All of them. if you don't like a subscription and don't care about burning a bridge, issue a chargeback.

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#184

Post by imchillyb »

TedDoesntTalk wrote: post #168
bpodgursky wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> all apps that allow for account creation must also allow users to initiate deletion of their account from within the app No, that doesn't seem true.

It doesn’t actually say the account must be deleted. It says: “…must also allow users to INITIATE deletion of their account” Capitals mine. So I can allow the initiation of deletion but never actually completely delete the account… and my app complies.

> So I can allow the initiation of deletion but never actually completely delete the account… and my app complies. @TedDoesntTalk

If the users that are requesting account deletions see that your app is purposely not complying, I don't imagine your app will be available for long in the app store.

Your response is why Apple is implementing this change in the first place.

Screw AOL and all of the rest of you making things impossible to delete, cancel, or otherwise NOT have an account.

I sincerely hope you change your tune, and if you don't then I hope you receive a permanent ban from Apple's App Store.

Seriously. This kind of bullshit shouldn't exist. If I can make an account easily, then I should be able to delete an account easily. If I cannot, then your business model should collapse around your fuckin' ears.

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#185

Post by asdff »

bobbylarrybobby wrote: post #95
turbinerneiter wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That does make sense, but I remember him talking about my gmail address. Not even sure I had an icloud email. But I could very well remember that wrong.

The point is that you don't want someone re-registering on iCloud with that gmail address because then they could impersonate you when interacting with Apple.

I still don't get it. You cancel the account, it should be gone like it never happened. Poof. If you make a new account with the same email, it should be a new account with no relation at all to the old account since that one has been deleted and is gone forever and there would be nothing to impersonate here.

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#186

Post by [deleted] »

mithr wrote: post #172
not2b wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But if the price of that benefit is 30% off the top for Apple for all payments, it's a high price to pay. Perhaps better consumer protection laws would be a better way to fight the dark patterns.

You can believe that dark billing patterns are bad and this change is good, while at the same time also believing Apple should charge developers less -- these are not mutually exclusive.

[deleted]

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#187

Post by SilasX »

wizzwizz4 wrote: post #154
bpodgursky wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> all apps that allow for account creation must also allow users to initiate deletion of their account from within the app No, that doesn't seem true.

What bank lets you create an account just from the app? … Okay, the digital-only ones, maybe. But virtually all other banks I've used make you go to a branch.

I signed up for Schwab (and numerous other financial institutions that were not "banks" per se) without having to go to a branch in person. You usually just submit photos of documents and, in some cases, have your picture taken at your computer.

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#188

Post by bogwog »

slownews45 wrote: post #77
jackdeansmith wrote: post #16

Feels to me like public pressure is on Apple to actually justify their argument that their App Store policies are for the benefit of their customers. If that results in more policies like this that really do improve customer experiences, that's not the worst outcome.

Most of their policies are ones CONSUMERS have liked but BUSINESSES have hated. The litigation / cases / govt intervention has been on behalf of businesses not consumers. A lot of folks in the "alliance for app fairness" have just horrible billing practices. Understandably, if they can get out of the app store, they can stop you from being able to do things like delete your account or unsubscribe with a few clicks. A…

Bad billing practices like the NYT's impossible-to-unsubscribe bullshit is not Apple's responsibility to fix: it's the market's first, the government's second. A corporation having the power to control/regulate society to such an extent is like textbook dystopian hell-hole stuff.

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#189

Post by zerkten »

robmaceachern wrote: post #174

The press release sounds more flexible than the actual guidelines: Press release (emphasis mine): "all apps that allow for account creation must also allow users to _initiate_ deletion of their account from within the app." Guidelines: "If your app supports account creation, you must also offer account deletion within the app." Has anyone seen any clarification on what options might be acceptable? e.g. I'm wondering…

Why would you want to make manual work for someone who just wants their account deleted? You're possibly better off offering an option in the delete flow for them to "talk with you to see if you can work something out" versus manually processing deletion requests.

Effort on those requests might recover some users which may be especially valuable if you are a subscription business. If you can't benefit from interaction then immediately imitating deletion from an API seems the only thing that would pass muster.

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#190

Post by ceejayoz »

asdff wrote: post #181
8note wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I should be able to tell my credit card company that I'm ending a subscription, and have them be in charge of notifying the provider that the subscription has been terminated

you can do that already. just issue a chargeback and poof.

Do that to a gym and they'll sue you for not paying out your contract.
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