this post was submitted on 13 Nov 2025
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The Signal messenger and protocol.
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Then they're paying for 2 credit card fees.
Is it common that you have to pay for that? Card payments are free in my bank
It's got nothing to do with the banks. All the credit card processors (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) charge fees to retailers. Some times it's a flat amount per charge, other times it's a percentage.
Realy though in this case that might not matter so much, as Google and Apple are in the middle, charging Signal 15-30%.
So Signal gets less, but you pay the same, right?
Yes. I just found out Google and Apple don't take a cut of donations to non-profits. But since this is a subscription for an actual product instead of a donation, it would be subject to their 15-30%. That is most likely the reason they don't just give backup services to donors.
yes, that was the original point - it's worse for Signal, if you're trying to donate, it's better to consolidate transactions
What bank is that?
Here in all banks card payments are free, as it's included in your monthly plan. But you have to pay for transfer and for cash withdrawal. Mine is just a small a local bank in a European country. But banking is very different here from the US (from your comment history I guess you are from America), e.g. credit cards are rare, everyone have debit cards, cheque payments are non-existent.
Wouldn't they be paying two fees no matter which way you split the money?
Yes 2 charges would be 2 fees. But I did forget that Google and Apple are in the middle charging their 15-30%. So that might not matter.
Do Apple and Google not have policies in place that don't take a charge on donations?
I don't know...
Seems they do. But that wouldn't apply to the Backup subscription. That may be the reason they don't just automatically give it to recouring donors.