Microsoft updates Microsoft Store Policies

Recently, Apple and Google have caused controversy due to app store developer rules and in-app purchase policies. Developers in the Apple ecosystem can only distribute applications and games through the Apple App Store and must use Apple’s in-app purchase mechanism to pay high commission fees.

This issue has even attracted the attention of the US House of Representatives Anti-Monopoly Committee, which recently issued a report saying that Apple used its market position to monopolize.

It is worth noting that the report issued by the US House of Representatives Antitrust Committee did not mention Microsoft. The committee seems to think that Microsoft should not have a monopoly.

Microsoft recently announced 10 rules for the Microsoft Store. According to Microsoft’s statement, the company’s open attitude to accept all developers will not hinder competition.

A few principles to get you started:

• Offer unique and distinct value within your product. Provide a compelling reason to download your product from the Store.
• Don’t mislead our joint customers about what your product can do, who is offering it, etc.
• Don’t attempt to cheat customers, the system or the ecosystem. There is no place in our Store for any kind of fraud, be it ratings and review manipulation, credit card fraud or other fraudulent activity.

For example, Microsoft promises not to block any competitor’s applications. Although Microsoft also provides an in-app purchase system with a commission, it allows developers to use external payment systems.

Open Windows 10 related interfaces to all developers with an open attitude, and will not prevent specific applications or broadly prohibit developers from using interoperability interfaces.

Microsoft also stated that it is the developer’s freedom whether or not developers will be listed on the Microsoft Store. Microsoft will not force developers to submit their applications to the store for any reason. Of course, it seems that Microsoft is taunting Apple’s closed ecology and the Apple tax issue.

After all, the Microsoft Store has only a few apps and many of them have not been updated for many years. In fact, very few users still use Microsoft Store to download apps.

Most users do not rely on the Microsoft Store to download applications. After all, most applications are not on the store or use the common platform interface provided by Microsoft.