Bullying UK recently released version 1 of it's iPhone app to much applause from many people, I got to work on a version 2 using the excellent AppMakr I figured for the next version I would add a donation button and a nice bit of copy to ask for a donation.
I submitted the app and waited, some time later the app was rejected by AppMakr and I have just been told why. Apparently Apple won't allow you to include a donation button in applications.
I have created a #AppleDonateFail Poll so please take the time to read this article and vote on the poll.
AppMakr said this about the app rejection:
"Apple tends to reject Apps that have content related to donations or charity. We have issued you a coupon "REMOVED" which will enable you to rebuild your App for free, minus the tab related to donations."
As many have replied to the @BullyingUK feed this is outrageous and here is the silly thing I had a donation page sat in the Pupils section of the app when it was submitted the first time. It seems buttons are a no no but a page is ok, it's just a bit silly.
Thing is Apple has a history of illogical decisions like this, well you know what on behalf of charities every where that need to get a little ROI from their mobile work I say lets take this issue to Apple.
Thanks to appmakr for the code but I have to say poor show Apple having issues with Donation Buttons
First we need a suitable show of support to get Apple to reconsider this odd decision and show them that this makes them look very charity / non-profit unfriendly sure I get that they may not want normal developers having donation buttons but charities are an exception and Apple should recognise that.
Are Apple saying they don't want charity apps on the app store? Tell us up front and we can all skip the iPhone and just build for Android.
To get involved either tweet #AppleDonateFail and your message of support, blog about this issue or leave a comment below.
Signed one very unhappy Charity TechCEO oh and if you want to snag our app without the button search "BullyingUK" in the Appstore.
John
The #AppleDonateFailCampaign So Far
I have created a #AppleDonateFail Poll which ask what you think Apple should do, Either allow the Donate buttons, Give up their 30% cut on charity apps or not do anything at all it would be great if you could take the time to cast your vote and tell your social streams about it.
The campaign has been covered by The Civil Society and we have over 70 retweets of this page so far, theirs also many messages of support for the campaign if you take a look at the #AppleDonateFail search on Twitter.
Stuart has also added his thoughts in a blog post entitled Why can't iDonate
Updates: Wow the campaign is off to a flying start already, 39 Retweets in just a few hours many people commenting that this is just bonkers and really not fair, one person tweeted and I think this is probably on the money as far as Apples Policy is concerned.
"Ha! Good luck. Unfortunately there is no way apple will allow a revenue stream not via apple payment gateway."
You know this does raise an interesting point, Apple seem to think that charities should "Sell" their apps in the store so Apple gets its 30% cut, to say that it's distasteful that Apple should expect a cut from Charity / Non-profit apps is an understatement.
So what should Apple do? In my view either remove the Donation Button restriction from registered non-profit / charity apps or guarantee that Apple will pass along 100% of it's fee from any "pay" applications.
The knock on effect is simple for Apple to understand, more charities using the appstore, means a lot of supporters being told about the app store. Which has to be good for Apple's brand awareness, seriously what threat are the worlds Non-profits to Mr Jobs $50 billion dollar company?
More Information
Here is a screen shot of the offending Donation Button, as you can see it's not very threatening. It goes to a page pulled in via RSS that loads a small page with some words and a JustGiving graphic, click the graphic arrive at the JG website. Basic stuff and not something that is any threat to Apple or it's Phone.
