SAN FRANCISCO: Apple has agreed to loosen payment restrictions on its App Store, a major change announced in a settlement with small developers as the US technology giant faces growing scrutiny and legal challenges over its tightly controlled online marketplace.
The change will allow small developers to inform their customers of alternative payment options beyond the official App Store.
In a class-action lawsuit, the developers had accused Apple of monopolistic distribution practices by operating the sole gateway to get apps or other content onto iPhones and other devices powered by iOS software.
The proposed settlement is pending court approval.
“The agreement clarifies that developers can share purchase options…
