Twitter Blue subscription now $11 (via iPhone app) & $7 (via website).
Twitter Inc. plans to raise the price of its Twitter Blue subscription package to $11 from $7.99 if purchased through its iPhone Users app and $7 if purchased through the website, according to the Information, citing a source briefed on the plans. The decision was likely in response to Apple Inc’s (AAPL.O) 30% cut on any payments made by consumers using applications on the iOS operating system.
According to the sources, the reduced cost on the website was also expected to draw more customers to that platform rather than signing up on their iPhones. It was not stated whether or not the pricing will alter on the Android platform as well.
Musk, who purchased Twitter in October, intends to roll out the microblogging site’s verified service with different colored checks for individuals, businesses, and governments, following a botched initial launch that resulted in an increase in users impersonating celebrities and brands on the platform.
A request for comment was not immediately responded to by Twitter, Apple, or Google, which controls the Android operating system. Musk highlighted many issues with Apple in a series of tweets last week, including the 30% fee the iPhone manufacturer charges software developers for in-app sales.
He also shared a joke in which he stated that he was prepared to “Go to War” with Apple rather than pay the fee. Musk then met Apple CEO Tim Cook at the company’s headquarters and tweeted that the misunderstanding over Twitter being removed from Apple’s app store had been rectified.
