Decentralized social networking app Damus is set to be taken down from the App Store and intends to appeal against this decision. Damus, which has the support of Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, is facing removal due to Apple’s strict payment regulations. Apple had previously issued a warning that it would remove Damus from the platform due to the app’s tips feature, stating concerns that content creators could sell digital content on the app.
Apple has a history of prohibiting developers from selling additional in-app content unless transactions are processed through their system, which includes a 30% fee. To avoid being banned, the Damus team had to modify the tipping feature of the app, leveraging Bitcoin’s Lightning Network. The company explained on Twitter that they had to remove the tips button from posts and restrict tips to profiles only.
Despite these adjustments, Damus announced on Monday that their app will be removed from the App Store. The company shared a screenshot of Apple’s review notes, which indicate that the tips feature still does not comply with the guidelines. Apple clarified that even if tips or donations are optional, if they are linked to receiving digital content, they must be processed through in-app purchases according to their guidelines.
A spokesperson for Apple informed TechCrunch via email that the company rejected the app after reviewing Damus’ latest submission, as the previously mentioned issues remained unresolved.
Damus plans to file an appeal to contest Apple’s decision. In a tweet, Damus expressed their disappointment, stating that even after updating the app to clarify that tipping does not unlock digital content, they are still being removed. They emphasized that users are only tipped after making posts and that the notion of selling content is baseless. Damus intends to appeal, asserting that Apple is misapplying and abusing their guidelines.
Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, donated around $245,000 in bitcoin (approximately 14 BTC at the time) last year to support the development of a decentralized social networking protocol called Nostr, which relies on cryptographic key pairs. Damus is the first mobile app to leverage this protocol. Dorsey responded to Apple’s decision in a tweet, highlighting that tips do not unlock content.
Damus was introduced to the App Store in February as one of the many alternatives to Twitter following Elon Musk’s influence on the platform. Musk’s impact led Twitter users to explore decentralized social networking services like Mastodon. Since its release, Damus has accumulated around 255,000 downloads globally on iOS, as reported by mobile analytics firm data.ai.
The app’s value proposition lies in providing an open social network without a central authority making decisions about content or participation, unlike Facebook or Twitter. Damus offers end-to-end encrypted messaging and does not require users to provide a phone number, email, or name due to the functionality of Nostr.
It’s worth noting that Damus has previously encountered issues with Apple. The app faced difficulties during the review process due to its decentralized nature. Apple insisted that Damus follow the same rules as other social networks, including the requirement to have a system for users to report objectionable content and a clear policy against abuse. Despite repeated rejections, Damus was finally approved in February.