Apple Abuses Wallet Push Notifications to Advertise Its New Movie ⇥ mjtsai.com

In March 2020, Apple changed its rules to formally permit ads in push notifications. I wrote:

Notably, there is also no requirement that push notification ads be a promotion for the app or its features. It seems perfectly legal under these rules for unscrupulous developers to sell push notification ad slots to third parties. Gross.

Well, it apparently decided to promote its new Formula 1 movie in partnership with Fandango. Casey Liss was one of many to share a screenshot of a push notification from Wallet reading:

$10 off at Fandango

Save on 2+ tickets to F1® The Movie with APPLEPAYTEN. Ends 6/29. While supplies last. Terms apply.

This is not really an ad for Wallet. It is an ad for Fandango to promote Apple’s movie, tickets for which may be added to Wallet. This is not the only time Apple has promoted its services through push notifications and in-app banners, and it is far from the only company doing this. It is tacky — yet the only surprising thing about it is how it is possible for a multi-trillion-dollar company to still feel like a sellout.