Notability app shifts to a subscription model

I hope there's swift backlash to this move. It's so scummy it would make the mob blush. I bought a lifetime license with the expectation that I can use it forever. I evaluated the software based on it's feature set at the time and thought it was a fair deal.

How can they take back what they've already sold me and hold data synced to iCloud hostage until I pay more? If that doesn't violate the law in some way it should. It's basically extortion, but for something minor enough they hope they can get away with it.

Apple, Google, and Microsoft should have huge incentive to crack down on this type of behavior too. The message for users is clear. Never ever use software from their app stores because the loss of control will be used against you eventually. Don't trust big tech with any of your workflow today because they'll use that as leverage to cheat you tomorrow.

"The Cloud" is nothing more than the biggest vendor lock-in scheme we've ever seen. I hope it all implodes as people wise up to the scheme.

I wish sites like Reddit and HN were less sensitive about posting personal information because this is the kind of thing where I think it would be useful to have a database that tracks the executives making these kinds of decisions. I'd love to be able to look up a company and see that people A, B, and C who have a history of being customer hostile work there so I could avoid them.

I wish hiring people that are currently executives at their company would be toxic and brand damaging so the greedy scammers making these kinds of decisions would see lifelong career damage as a result.

This completely goes against Apple's guidelines 3.1.2(a):

If you are changing your existing app to a subscription-based business model, you should not take away the primary functionality existing users have already paid for. For example, let customers who have already purchased a “full game unlock” continue to access the full game after you introduce a subscription model for new customers.

I wonder if there will be any repercussions. I doubt it.

Copypasted from r/ipad [1]:

Report them here: https://reportaproblem.apple.com/store/360593530/select/frau...

Copy/Paste if you want: As of the new update to Notability (version 11.0), the developer has stated those who purchased the app before it was free will only have the functionality they paid for, for the next year, and will then be downgraded to the free version. This is against App Store guidelines section 3.1.2(a) which states that an app switching to a subscription model cannot remove features for those who have previously purchased the app.

[1] (https://old.reddit.com/r/ipad/comments/qkhkvh/notability_swi...)

Would not updating the app save me from the subscription model?