Telegram founder Pavel Durov accused Apple and Google of total control and exploitation. The businessman believes that a 30% digital tax from software developers is a real robbery. And one could agree with this, but every problem always has a flip side, which the Russian entrepreneur did not mention. Although, he was close to it, by drawing attention to Microsoft software.
Digital Tax in Favor of Apple and Google – What Is It
Basically, there is a problem. But only for software or game developers. When uploading their own developments to the Apple and Google app stores, the owner is obliged to pay the tech giants 30% of their income. Moreover, there are no other ways to provide the end user with the application, bypassing the above scheme. Here, the businessman is 100% right – it is a monopoly.
Hidden Risks of Reducing the Tax: Falling into the Abyss
And here begins the most interesting part. If we return to Microsoft products, specifically the Windows operating system. There are millions of paid and free applications online. Only about 50% of them are fully functional. And some are infected with viruses and Trojan programs. That is, no one controls or tests the programs. This cannot be said about applications for Apple and Google. Yes, there are cases when malicious programs penetrate the giants’ stores, but they are removed very quickly, and users are warned about the problem.
The owner of Telegram is concerned about users who overpay for a smartphone application (as much as 30% of the actual cost, which developers lose profit from). Who prevents not installing this surcharge – it’s unclear. After all, the developer still earns from sales. Made a good application – rake in the money with a shovel. No – goodbye!
But on the other hand, the digital tax is a guarantee of security. After all, it’s better to overpay than to lose valuable information on a tablet or phone. Moreover, smartphone owners (especially from the Apple brand) are not poor people. And they can quite afford to pay a few extra dollars for a necessary program.
Overall, this digital tax in favor of Apple and Google, exaggerated by Pavel, smells like hype. In fact, the businessman is indignant that users are robbed, but offers nothing useful. Pay attention to this – he attacked industry giants, drew public attention to himself. There is no proposal to reduce the percentage fee, only to cancel it. And interestingly, upon cancellation, there are no clear promises regarding the reduction of software costs. That is, the tax will be removed, and this income will go into the developer’s pocket. So, what’s the benefit for the buyer? None. Pavel reasons like a businessman, but not as an ordinary consumer. And until he understands this, he will not gain support from users. He could have, if he had offered something sensible and made a promise.
