Telegram's CEO is lashing out against Apple over the company's "obscure" App Store review process that is delaying Telegram from releasing an update to its app that will "revolutionize how people express themselves in messaging."
Durov says that an update to Telegram that will change how people communicate has been stuck in Apple's App Store review process for over two weeks with no communication from the company over why or when it will be approved. One can imagine the difficulties experienced by smaller app developers if Telegram is treated this way.
For example, our upcoming update – which is about to revolutionize how people express themselves in messaging – has been stuck in Apple's "review" for two weeks, without explanation or any feedback provided by Apple.
If Telegram, one of the top 10 most popular apps globally, is receiving this treatment, one can only imagine the difficulties experienced by smaller app developers. It's not just demoralizing: it causes direct financial losses to hundred of thousands of mobile apps globally.
The "Apple tax" gives Apple a 30% cut of certain in-app purchases from eligible apps that make over $1 million a year, according to Durov. Durov says that damage inflicted by the company can't be undone.
This harm goes on top of the 30% tax Apple and Google take from app developers – which, according to them, is supposed to pay for the resources needed to review apps. The regulators in the EU and elsewhere are slowly starting to look into these abusive practices. But the economic damage that has already been inflicted by Apple on the tech industry won't be undone.
It's not clear why Telegram's update is being delayed. The long wait is particularly interesting since most apps are reviewed quickly. One of the most popular messaging services on the App Store is Telegram.
Over 1 million submissions are rejected and over 500 dedicated experts review over 100K apps every week on Apple's website.
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