Apple Now a Debt Collector? New Developer Agreement Details

Apple Updates Developer Agreement to Recoup Unpaid Funds

On Wednesday, Apple released a revised developer license agreement. This update grants the company the authority to recover outstanding funds, encompassing commissions and other applicable fees. Recovery methods include deductions from in-app purchases processed on behalf of developers.

Impact on Developers Utilizing External Payment Systems

The alteration will primarily affect developers operating in regions where legal frameworks permit linking to external payment platforms. These developers will be obligated to report payments received through these systems back to Apple for the calculation and remittance of required commissions or fees.

This revised agreement appears to provide Apple with a mechanism to ensure the collection of fees it deems accurate, particularly in instances where a developer is suspected of underreporting earnings.

Complexities and Regional Variations

Apple’s policies surrounding these fees are intricate. The change is likely to impact developers in key markets such as the European Union, the United States, and Japan. Developers employing external payment systems in these regions may be subject to varying fees or commissions, contingent upon local legislation.

Currently, the legality of Apple’s commissions is under contention in the U.S. A recent federal appeals court ruling indicated that a district court should re-evaluate the possibility of allowing Apple to collect some commission, although not the previously charged 27%.

Details of the Recoupment Process

According to the new developer agreement, Apple will “offset or recoup” any amounts it believes are due, including funds “collected by Apple on your behalf from end-users.” This encompasses potential deductions from developer revenue generated through in-app purchases of digital goods, services, and subscriptions, as well as one-time payments for app acquisitions.

Furthermore, Apple reserves the right to collect these funds “at any time” and “from time to time.” This implies developers could encounter unexpected deductions if Apple identifies discrepancies in their reported obligations.

The agreement does not detail the specific methodology Apple will employ to determine if funds are owed.

Variable Developer Payments and Fees

The types of developer payments subject to variation include commissions, fees, and applicable taxes. A current example is the Core Technology Fee (CTF) in the EU, currently set at €0.50 for each annual install exceeding one million within a 12-month period.

In January 2026, Apple will transition from the CTF to a new fee structure, the Core Technology Commission (CTC). The CTC is a more complex, percentage-based fee that will be applied to apps utilizing external payment methods or distributed under alternative business terms within the EU.

Expanding Collection Rights

The updated agreement also extends Apple’s collection rights to include any “affiliates, parents, or subsidiaries” associated with the account incurring the debt. This means Apple could potentially recover funds from other applications owned by the developer or from apps published by a parent company.

Location of Details within the Agreement

These changes are specifically outlined in Schedules 2 and 3, section 3.4, which pertains to the delivery of applications to end-users.

Additional Agreement Modifications

Beyond the financial aspects, Apple is introducing new sections addressing its age assurance technology and updated terms for iOS applications in Japan, alongside other requirements.

Restrictions on Recording and AI Assistants

Of particular note, Apple is establishing guidelines for voice-based assistants, such as AI chatbots, activated via the iPhone’s side button. The company is prohibiting recordings made without explicit user consent.

This prohibition extends to audio and video recordings, as well as screen recordings, which developers often utilize to identify user issues and locate software bugs.

It’s important to note that Apple is not enacting a complete ban on these recordings. The company is clarifying that “Your Application may not be designed to facilitate Recordings of others without their awareness.” The practical interpretation of this rule remains to be seen.

Apple declined to provide a comment in response to a request for clarification prior to publication.