In a recent interview with The Block, William Casarin, the core developer of Damus, revealed that the popular app will be required to remove its zaps feature in order to comply with the guidelines set by the App Store.
The zaps feature, known for its ability to automate tasks within the app, has been deemed non-compliant by Apple. In a tweet posted today, the Damus project revealed that Apple has issued a notification stating that in order to maintain its availability on the App Store, Damus must submit an update within 14 days that complies with the App Store Review Guidelines. The tweet quoted Apple’s message, which emphasized that failure to provide a compliant update within the given timeframe will result in the removal of the app from sale.
Apple’s warning specifically targets Damus’s “zaps” feature, which enables users to earn bitcoin through Lightning network-based tips. The zaps feature, described by the Nostr protocol as a fast and low-fee method for transmitting tips, has been flagged as non-compliant with the App Store Review Guidelines. Apple’s concern likely revolves around the integration of cryptocurrency-related functionalities within the app, potentially raising issues related to financial regulations and user safety.
Damus implemented a Layer 2 Lightning Network widget that enables users to make bitcoin payments and provide tips directly within the platform. This integration allows for seamless and speedy transactions, utilizing the Lightning Network’s off-chain solution. By incorporating this widget, Damus offers users a convenient and efficient way to send and receive bitcoin payments and tips without incurring high transaction fees typically associated with on-chain transactions. This integration enhances the overall user experience on the platform by simplifying the process of engaging in financial transactions using bitcoin.
“We noticed that your app allows users to send ‘tips’ associated with receiving content from digital content creators with a mechanism other than in-app purchase,” Apple said. “Although tips or donations may be optional, if they are connected to or associated with receiving digital content, they must use in-app purchase in accordance with guideline 3.1.1.”
According to Damus, the app does not sell any digital products or offer features for selling digital goods. Instead, it provides a simple tip button that functions similarly to popular payment platforms like Venmo or CashApp. This tip button allows users to engage in peer-to-peer transactions, enabling them to send and receive money easily. Damus emphasizes that its main purpose is to facilitate these transactions and not to facilitate the sale of digital goods.
In response to the possibility of Apple removing the Damus app from the App Store, the Damus team expressed concern that such action would effectively render the platform inactive for bitcoin applications seeking to innovate within the Lightning network. The removal would not only impact Damus as an individual app but also hinder the broader ecosystem of bitcoin-related applications that rely on Lightning network integration for their functionalities.
