In a surprising turn of events, Damus, the popular decentralized social networking app built on Nostr, is facing removal from Apple’s App Store. Apple claims that Damus violates their guidelines by allowing users to send “tips” (zaps) associated with receiving content from digital content creators through a mechanism other than in-app purchase. This violation of Guideline 3.1.1 – Business – Payments – In-App Purchase has prompted Apple to take action, according to the message sent to Damus creator William Casarin.
The news comes at a critical time for Damus and its creator, who was set to give a talk at the Oslo Freedom Forum on how decentralized social networks, integrated with lightning technology, can bring financial freedom to the masses. The impending removal from the App Store raises concerns about the freedom to transact peer-to-peer on the platform and has broader implications for apps that rely on Lightning integration and value-for-value models on the app store.
In an official communication from Apple’s App Review, Damus received notice that an update compliant with the App Store Review Guidelines must be submitted within 14 days to ensure the app’s availability. Failure to comply within the given timeframe will result in the app being removed from sale. Additionally, if Damus is found to be out of compliance and rejected even after the 14-day period, it will remain unavailable until a compliant update is submitted, approved, and released.
The removal of Damus from the App Store would not only impact its current users but also affect external and internal testing through the TestFlight version. All public TestFlight links will cease to function if the app is taken down.
This development raises questions about the future of apps with Lightning integration and the potential limitations on peer-to-peer transactions on Apple’s platform. It remains to be seen how Damus and its creator will respond to this setback and whether they can find a solution that aligns with Apple’s guidelines while maintaining the core principles of decentralization and financial freedom.
One interesting note is that Twitter allows for “tips” through the Lightning Network if enabled on a profile, which