ok, so, I asked chatgt deep research and after a quick chat, you were right, chatgpt did not really understand what was the situation right now. However it provided me with all the sources to fact check, so it was very useful in the sense that it helped me find articles about it.

when posing the same question to gemini 2.5 pro (still in beta) he absolutely nails it and provides extensive information about google and apple's policies, along with all the sources.

So, if you use a good AI, such as gemini 2.5 pro, which is the newest latest google model, and as such is limited at 5 queries every 24Hrs, then you will get nice results.
On the contrary, if you use the free version of Chatgpt, it will do the work, but may be imprecise and you might take longer to do the research.

In my experience, gemini never let me down, for this and other, even technical tasks. However it's limited so I'm constantly switching between google accounts to get all the credits I can lol.

I pasted the conversations with gemini and chagpt below.

Gemini:

Navigating App Store Rules: Supercell's External Shop and US Advertising

Recent legal and policy shifts, particularly concerning Apple's App Store, have altered the landscape for how developers like Supercell can direct US users to external purchasing platforms, potentially bypassing traditional app store commission fees.

For users in the United States, the legality of Supercell advertising its external shop for in-game items largely hinges on the evolving policies of Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store.

Apple App Store: Following a significant ruling in the Epic Games v. Apple case, Apple has updated its App Store Review Guidelines for the US. As of early 2024, these changes mean that developers are permitted to include buttons, external links, or other calls to action within their apps that direct US users to purchasing mechanisms outside of Apple's in-app purchase system. Crucially, Apple is also barred from charging a commission on these external transactions made by US users. This means Supercell can legally advertise its external shop to its US players on iOS devices and guide them to make purchases there without Apple taking a cut of those specific sales.

Google Play Store: Google's policies regarding external purchases have also been evolving. Google has an "external offers program." Under this program, developers may be allowed to direct users to external purchasing options. However, this often comes with specific requirements, such as displaying an information screen to users before they navigate outside the app. Previously, Google announced a new policy in some regions (like the European Economic Area) that would allow alternative billing systems but still involve a service fee payable to Google.

For the US, Google's developer policies state that while developers are free to communicate about alternative purchase options outside of their app (e.g., via email or their website), within an app, they generally may not direct users to a payment method other than Google Play's billing system. There are exceptions, and Google has been running pilot programs and adjusting policies in response to global regulatory pressure and legal challenges. Developers participating in programs that allow external links usually have to comply with Google's specific terms, which may include paying a service fee on transactions made through these external links.

Therefore, for Supercell to advertise its external shop within its Android apps in the US, it would need to comply with the specific terms and conditions of any current Google Play programs that permit such links and potentially pay a reduced service fee to Google. If they are not part of such a program, direct in-app advertising of external payment links for digital goods might still be restricted.

Supercell's Position: Supercell has indeed established its own external web store, reportedly offering in-game items at prices that can be lower due to the avoidance of the full app store commissions. The company's ability to actively advertise this store within its apps in the US is now more feasible on iOS due to the aforementioned legal and policy changes. On Android, it depends on their adherence to Google's current US policies and programs for external offers.

In Summary:

For iOS users in the US: It is now legally permissible for Supercell to advertise its external shop within its games due to changes in Apple's App Store policies stemming from court rulings. Apple cannot take a commission on these external US sales.

For Android users in the US: The situation is more nuanced. While Google is making changes, directly advertising an external shop for digital goods within an app is generally tied to specific Google Play programs and may involve service fees. Supercell would need to ensure compliance with these evolving US-specific Google Play policies.

Users in the US may increasingly see options to purchase in-game items directly from developers like Supercell, reflecting a broader shift in the mobile app ecosystem. However, the specifics of how these external shops can be promoted within the apps themselves will continue to be dictated by the distinct and evolving policies of Apple and Google.

____

chatgpt

me:

is it legal for supercell to advertise their external shop that bypasses the appstore to get in game items? I live in the US

chatgpt: (deep research turned on)

To help you better, could you clarify whether you're asking about Supercell advertising its external shop within its own app (like Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars), or elsewhere (like on its website or social media)? Also, are you interested in potential legal issues under U.S. law from Supercell's side, Apple/Google's side, or both?

me:

Yes, it's a in game promotion in the app (clash royale) shop section. I don't know what law applies if I live in the US.

chatgpt:

Short answer: While it's legally possible for Supercell to advertise its external shop
in-game in the U.S., it likely violates Apple and Google’s app store policies, not U.S. law per se. But due to recent legal changes, this practice is currently in a gray area.

---

Here’s the full breakdown:

1. U.S. Law:

In general, there’s no U.S. law that outright bans a developer from advertising their own external store in their app. So Supercell is not breaking U.S. law just by doing this.

2. App Store Policy Conflict:

Apple (and to a lesser extent Google) historically prohibited developers from linking to or promoting external payment systems that bypass their in-app purchase (IAP) systems. Violating this could get an app removed.

However, this has been heavily challenged in court:

Epic v. Apple (2020–2024): After a long legal battle, a U.S. court forced Apple to allow links to external payment methods under specific conditions. Apple must now let developers include "external purchasing options" as long as it's clearly labeled and doesn’t mislead users.

Apple’s Response: Apple still enforces rules on how these links are shown and can charge developers a commission (called the “Core Technology Fee”) even on external purchases.

Google has also started to allow alternative billing methods in some cases (especially under pressure in regions like South Korea and the EU), but still takes a commission.

---

So, is Supercell breaking rules?

If Supercell is just advertising the external shop in-game (without providing a direct link or misleading info), they may be operating within the new court-allowed gray zone.

If they link out directly from within the app without meeting Apple/Google’s specific conditions, it could violate store policy — but not U.S. law.

---

Summary:

Legal in the U.S.? Yes.

Against App Store policy? Possibly, depending on how they do it.

Risk to Supercell? Mostly from Apple/Google enforcement, not legal action from the government.


Would you like a quick legal summary or links to Apple’s updated policy?

me:

yeah what are the rules?

chat:

As of May 2025, Apple has updated its App Store policies in the United States to comply with a U.S. court ruling, allowing developers to include external links in their apps directing users to alternative payment methods.  However, there are specific guidelines and requirements developers must adhere to:

Apple's U.S. App Store Guidelines for External Payment Links

1. Inclusion of External Links: Developers can now include buttons, external links, or other calls to action within their apps to direct users to alternative purchasing mechanisms.


2. Commission Fees: Apple charges a commission on purchases made through these external links.  The commission is 27% for most developers and 12% for those in the Small Business Program or for subscriptions after the first year.


3. Disclosure Requirements: When a user taps an external payment link, Apple presents a disclosure sheet informing them that the purchase is being made outside of Apple's ecosystem, and Apple is not responsible for the transaction's privacy or security.


4. Design and Placement Restrictions: The external link must be placed in a single, dedicated location within the app and cannot mimic Apple's in-app purchase system.  It should not be displayed on any page that is part of an in-app flow to merchandise or initiate a purchase using in-app purchase.


5. Reporting Obligations: Developers are required to provide Apple with transaction reports for purchases made through external links and remit the appropriate commissions.  Failure to comply can result in penalties, including removal from the App Store.



Given these guidelines, if Supercell is promoting its external shop within Clash Royale's in-game shop section, it must ensure compliance with Apple's updated policies to avoid potential violations.

If you have further questions or need more detailed information on this topic, feel free to ask.