Welcome to the Tech Beam Right Home for Thursday, September 2nd, 2021. I'm Brian McCullough today.

Apple will let Reader apps link to websites to manage accounts for the first time.

What's app faces a record GDPR fine. Twitter continues to at least test all

the products and has YouTube music quietly become a major threat to Spotify and

Apple music.

Here's what you miss today in the world of tech.

Apple is going to let developers of so-called Reader apps link to a website, an outside website

allowing users to set up or manage accounts early next year, thus closing an antitrust

investigation by Japan, quoting and gadget.

Apple defines reader apps as those that, quote, provide previously purchase content or content subscriptions

for digital magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video, end quote.

As Bloomberg notes, that means the new rule would apply to services like Netflix and Spotify.

The Tech Giant announced the update following the conclusion of an investigation by the Japan Fair Trade

Commission.

Apple agreed with the Commission to let Reader App Developers add a single link to their website

because those developers, quote, do not offer in-app digital goods and services for purchase,

end quote. The change will cover all reader apps around the world but

Apple will update its guidelines and review process first before it takes effect.

Phil Schiller, the executive in charge of overseeing the App Store said quote

we have great respect for the Japan Fair Trade Commission

and appreciate the work we've done together, which will help developers of Reader apps make it easier

for users to set up and manage their apps and services while protecting their privacy and maintaining their trust."

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