Zapple Pay Breaking Apple’s Barriers With Damus’ Zaps Function

July 11, 2023 - Around 2 mins mins to read

Key Points:

Two Bitcoin developers have developed Zapple Pay to allow Bitcoin tips on Damus.
The new app enables the zaps feature just by using the react emoji.
Previously, Apple tried to prevent this function by claiming it could remove Damus from the App Store.

After Apple banned Damus’ Zaps feature, developer Nostr created a simple “Zapple Pay” alternative for Zap using react emoji.

Zapple Pay Breaking Apple's Barriers With Damus' Zaps Function

According to Coindesk, two independent Bitcoin developers have devised a cos alternative called Zapple Pay to allow users to use the Zaps functionality on Damus that Apple would have been nearly powerless to prevent.

Zapple Pay allows users to tip each other on any app that runs on the Nostr protocol. The developers say they have discovered a way to trigger zaps via emojis. Since emojis are allowed on posts, users of the app can once again send messages on posts, despite Apple’s restrictions.

This is a third-party service, so it’s unclear if Apple can or will take any action against Damus and engaging in the Whac-A-Mole game with Carman and Miller.

The product was launched on July 6, just two weeks after Apple took the arbitrary action. Currently, the application is being shared widely with positive support from the Bitcoin and Damus fan community.

Bitcoin is speech.

You can now "zap" users on Nostr by simply commenting on their post with a ⚡️emoji.

Yes, this works on iOS. No, there is nothing Apple can do to stop it.https://t.co/OyCy1KPB1k
— Adam Simecka (@AdamSimecka) July 6, 2023

According to Coindesk, the two Bitcoin developers behind Zapple Pay are Ben Carman and Paul Miller. The pair are also the co-founders of Mutiny Wallet, a browser-based, Lightning-enabled, and self-regulating bitcoin wallet. The developers and these new apps are said to have no relationship whatsoever with the Creators of Damus, William Casarin, and this app.

Casarin, the creator of Damus, insists that he had no role in the development of Zapple Pay nor has any connection with the developers.

Last month, Apple (AAPL) threatened to remove the Bitcoin-friendly social media app Damus from its App Store for users to tip or “zap” each other with bitcoin (BTC) on content posted in the app. After developer Casarin compromised by giving up the zaps functionality, the matter was settled.

Damus is partly popular with bitcoiners because of its tipping feature, and crypto advocates have supported it after Apple’s crackdown.

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