Inside the war on Apple and Google app stores

Apple insists that it must retain sole power over distributing iOS apps because that’s essential to keeping customers safe. — Photo by James Yarema on Unsplash

LOS ANGELES: Match Group, the online dating company that recently spun off from Barry Diller's IAC, generated US$2.4bil (RM10.12bil) in revenue last year.

Its biggest single expense? The 30% app store “tax” charged by Apple for purchases in Match’s apps, which include Tinder, Hinge and OkCupid – fees the company claims are on an annual run rate of US$500mil (RM2.10bil). Starting in September, Google also will force Match to pay the same commission rate on apps distributed via the Google Play store.