> user hostility can't exist because being a user is a choice
User hostility can exist exactly at the level that the market (the users) will bear it. If the prices for things were 10x, then users would clearly notice and leave. If the prices are 1.3x where x is almost always < $10, the users simply don't give enough of a shite to do anything about it, which is why it's not users that are upset here.
Hostility to kids can exist exactly at the level that the kids will bear it. If they get beaten 10 times a day, they would clearly run away from home. If they get beaten 0.3 times a day they simply don't give enough of a shite to do anything about it.
Well it exactly illustrates the point I'm trying to make, that policing the interactions of free adults (Apple, app developers, consumers) is fundamentally akin to treating them like children, and at odds with the ideas of personal liberty. As long as the interactions are peaceful, it's better to let them sort themselves out.
But there isn't (end) user hostility here, there's developer hostility. It's using this as leverage against the developer, and developers aren't willing to call Apple's bluff...presumably because users are more excited by Apple than by the particular app.
It causes developers to raise prices, which hurts the user. The user does not know why the prices went up, or that they can purchase outside of Apple for a significantly cheaper price.
It's also not right to say that this is fine since users still use Apple. Remember when Apple said they would introduce CSAM scanning into iOS? Was their entire userbase going to ditch them and move to Android? Definitely not. But they still retracted the move after constant negative press coverage and outrage from consumers. Some of us still want to use these platforms but are upset at Apple precisely because they can change.
Why not? The app can totally tell them! When I eat at restaurants, I see a receipt with tax + tip + SF mandate itemized out. Nothing stops a developer from itemizing out those costs in communication with users though.
Apple's excuse for this restriction is that Apple considers the disclosure "irrelevant information". Any user who wants to be fully informed about their purchase would disagree.
User hostility can exist exactly at the level that the market (the users) will bear it. If the prices for things were 10x, then users would clearly notice and leave. If the prices are 1.3x where x is almost always < $10, the users simply don't give enough of a shite to do anything about it, which is why it's not users that are upset here.