Apple Rejecting Coronavirus Apps Not From Health or Government Organizations

[MacRumors]

Apple is rejecting apps that are related to the COVID-19 coronavirus that aren't provided by health organizations or government institutions, according to CNBC

Four independent developers that spoke to CNBC said that their coronavirus apps, which were designed to let people see stats about which countries have confirmed cases, had been rejected.

One developer was told over the phone by an Apple employee that anything related to the coronavirus needs to be released by an official health organization or government, while another received a notice that "apps with information about current medical information need to be submitted by a recognized institution."

Apple has been evaluating and rejecting coronavirus apps to prevent the spread of misinformation, looking at where the health data is sourced from and whether developers represent organizations that users can trust to publish accurate data.

Searches for coronavirus and COVID-19 on the App Store bring up few results, including a COVID-19 virus tracker from Healthlynked that uses World Health Organization data, the Epoch Times, and an app from the Brazilian government.

Other tech companies have taken similar steps to prevent the spread of misinformation. Facebook and Twitter have banned misleading coronavirus-related ads, and Amazon has banned coronavirus products and sellers attempting to price gouge on items like face masks and hand sanitizer.

Google also has a policy against apps that capitalize on a natural disaster or profit from a tragic event and there are no apps related to the coronavirus available from Google Play in the United States.

Article Link: Apple Rejecting Coronavirus Apps Not From Health or Government Organizations

 

[Baymowe335]

Good. No one trying to make a quick buck.

 

[jz0309]

right choice, need data from a single source ... in and for the US: CDC

 

[cardfan]

Now thank big brother for watching over you.

 

[TheSkywalker77]

There's already enough misinformation out there about this virus, we don't need people trying to be official and in need of a quick buck creating more, good move, Apple!

 

[macfacts]

Thank-you apple for thinking for me.

 

[Solomani]

Good. Further misinformation is the last thing we need.

 

[coolfactor]

right choice, need data from a single source ... in and for the US: CDC

Are you saying that the CDC should be the only source for US data?

What do you suggest for the other 194 countries in the world? The equivalent government arms in each country?

 

[JPack]

right choice, need data from a single source ... in and for the US: CDC

Nothing to see here, folks.

Don't mind that states like Maine, Ohio, and Oklahoma aren't testing for SARS-CoV-2.

 

[Appleman3546]

It’s a good thing that developers can distribute their iOS apps via browser download like Mac apps can...oh wait, the private market doesn’t decide what is important on iOS, Apple does

 

[AustinIllini]

no-brainer

 

[citysnaps]

It’s a good thing that developers can distribute their iOS apps via browser download like Mac apps can...oh wait, the private market doesn’t decide what is important on iOS, Apple does

Hat-tip to Apple and Tim Cook on this one!

 

[wolfshades]

Don’t need an app anyway. There’s loads of information out there. Like this web map of infected countries for example.

 

[ulyssesric]

Good for countries with transparent disease control policy, but I'm not sure whether it's moral to do so in some countries; namely China, Iran, and, surprisingly, Japan.

 

[Swift]

Are you saying that the CDC should be the only source for US data?

What do you suggest for the other 194 countries in the world? The equivalent government arms in each country?

The story says "not from governement sources. I suppose that would also allow British, French, Chinese information too. This is a pandemic. We need the scientists to tell us what to do, and what not to. Because they're scientists. When the pandemic is over, everybody can analyze what happened, using the data, and get a clearer picture for next time. This is dead serious. Quarantine involves giving up some freedom but it's the only way we can fight it until the vaccine is ready.

 

[ElectricPotato]

Shutting down scams before they do harm? Even when doing so reduces Apple's revenue? I wish all tech giants had that level of ethics.

 

[sinsin07]

Shutting down scams before they do harm? Even when doing so reduces Apple's revenue? I wish all tech giants had that level of ethics.

You're blowing smoke.

 

[katbel]

Don’t need an app anyway. There’s loads of information out there. Like this web map of infected countries for example.

This Link has been my favorite source since the beginning of the epidemic..even if you don't want to check it before bed, sigh

 

[az431]

Are you saying that the CDC should be the only source for US data?

What do you suggest for the other 194 countries in the world? The equivalent government arms in each country?

Have you heard of google?

 

[lunarworks]

View attachment 897679

Nothing to see here, folks.

Don't mind that states like Maine, Ohio, and Oklahoma aren't testing for SARS-CoV-2.

Gotta protect the Dow Jones from bad news.

 

[BornAgainMac]

I want a future iPhone to have a built-in Tricorder app to support the new sensors.

 

[T-R-S]

people are charge $50.00 for had sanitizer - got stop those folks who want to profit is bad ways.
this is why its always good to have traffic cop.

 

[Hieveryone]

On one hand we don't want information being suppressed. At the same time, fake news for this kind of thing can get out of hand. It's a tricky situation.

 

[Pikup Andropov]

So much for "Think Different", eh? Baaa.

 

[Morgenland]

right choice, need data from a single source ... in and for the US: CDC

The WHO just collects data from all national 'CDC's'. The American 'Centers for Disease Control and Prevention' therefore are just one of the national figures investigators. They enjoy a high international reputation. But they also depend on the doctors to cooperate perfectly. The World Health Organisation WHO (Geneva, Switzerland) collects the figures of the individual "CDCs" of the world and cannot publish anything better.
[automerge]1583468698[/automerge]

Are you saying that the CDC should be the only source for US data?

What do you suggest for the other 194 countries in the world? The equivalent government arms in each country?

Russia makes the most obvious numbers game with the WHO's CDCs.
Russia manages its figures even better than America or China, after initial hesitation...

Read more on vanities of the nations; historical background knowledge on why countries obscure numbers (not only in wartime):

Spanish flu - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Therefore it is quite reasonable that Apple bans further number masters.