If you pay through Apple, you may lose access to your Netflix account

CNN
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Netflix wants customers to stop paying for streaming subscriptions through Apple’s App Store.

A new addition to Netflix’s help site says members billed through Apple may soon be asked to change their payment plan.

According to a Netflix spokesperson, if a new payment is not added by the monthly subscription renewal date, members will be unable to use their Netflix account until a new payment method is added.

The policy change affects members of Netflix’s basic plan in countries such as the U.S. and Canada, a spokesperson said.

This update by Netflix comes as Apple has faced years of backlash from apps in the iOS App Store, which takes a 30% cut of all in-app purchases. Apple says reductions of less than 15% may be necessary in some circumstances.

Netflix stopped accepting Apple payments for new and returning customers in 2018, but Netflix’s policy change means existing customers who were previously forced to pay through Apple will have to make the switch. .

Apple previously prohibited many iOS apps from avoiding the 30% fee by accepting payments outside of Apple’s own payment system. But in 2021, Apple will loosen restrictions on other streaming companies like Netflix and Spotify, allowing those apps to insert links to external websites and allow users to set up or manage their accounts outside of Apple’s App Store. I made it.

Apple’s in-app purchase fees have been the subject of app developer ire for years. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a blow to Apple, forcing lower courts to require Apple to allow all developers to add buttons and links that direct customers to purchase in-app content through other payment channels. refused to consider the order.

The decision was related to a 2020 lawsuit against Apple in which Epic Games, the maker of the popular video game Fortnite, accused Apple of antitrust violations over its in-app fee collection practices.

– CNN’s Brian Fung contributed reporting.