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Apple's recent controversial action against Damus, a Bitcoin-inclined social media app, has sparked a creative response from independent developers. Despite Apple pressuring Damus to remove its tipping feature, the pioneering efforts of independent developers have successfully brought it back to life.
Last month, Apple applied pressure on Damus, forcing the app to disable its "zap" feature that allowed users to tip each other with Bitcoin for content. Apple considered this feature to be an illicit digital media sale and threatened Damus' existence on the App Store.
However, on July 6, an unexpected development unfolded with the introduction of "Zapple Pay." Independent Bitcoin developers Ben Carman and Paul Miller launched Zapple Pay, presenting a clever method to circumvent Apple's restrictions. By utilizing emojis, which are still allowed in posts, users can once again "zap" each other. Carman and Miller are also the founders of Mutiny wallet, a self-custodial Bitcoin wallet operating in the browser.
Zapple Pay ingeniously utilizes a user's Nostr public key (npub), an emoji, and a wallet link. Nostr, an acronym for "notes and other stuff transmitted by relays," plays a vital role in the process. When a user reacts to a post with a specific emoji, a zap is triggered for that post, effectively bypassing Apple's restrictions.
The Bitcoin community has rallied behind Damus in the midst of this controversy. Prominent advocates such as ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, who leads the Bitcoin-centric Block, have expressed vocal support for the developers' efforts and the Damus platform. It is important to note that William Casarin, the original creator of Damus, confirmed no involvement in the development of Zapple Pay.
Interestingly, Apple suggested replacing the "zap" feature with their own mobile payment service, Apple Pay, but Damus chose to disregard this recommendation.
