The article titled "Substack just killed the creator economy," authored by Tyler Denk and published on August 26, 2025, discusses Substack's recent decision to require all writers to use Apple's in-app purchase (IAP) system for subscriptions on iOS. This change entails Apple taking a 30% commission, with Substack raising subscription prices to ensure writers still receive their original earnings—effectively passing the cost to readers. Writers had no choice in this unilateral decision, which also results in delays in payments (45 days) and removes writers’ control over billing and subscriber data. Previously, writers on Substack owned their Stripe accounts connected to their readers, maintaining full control over subscriptions and data portability, allowing them to move their subscribers to other platforms if desired. Now, with the billing relationship ceded to Apple, writers lose access to subscriber data and cannot transfer paid subscriptions elsewhere, thus being locked into Substack’s platform. The article criticizes Substack's move as predatory, part of a pattern seen in other platforms like Patreon and Gumroad that gradually increase take rates and enforce platform dependence. It highlights the broader negative impact on the creator economy, emphasizing the value of data portability and creator freedom. The author contrasts Substack’s approach with Beehiiv, a platform that allows writers full ownership of their audience and revenue, facilitating easy migration. The article includes visuals of Substack’s changes and community reactions, plus references to other creators successfully using alternative platforms. It calls for creators to recognize the importance of ownership and warns that Substack’s tactics mirror past exploitative practices seen in tech platforms like Facebook and Google. The piece concludes by encouraging building better, creator-first platforms collaboratively. Additional content promotes Attio, an AI-native CRM platform; a weekly music playlist; and links to other insightful content. There is also an invitation to try "DenkBot," an AI clone of the author, and various social sharing and subscription options for the newsletter "Big Desk Energy."