Apple Updates App Store Review Guidelines, Says Developers Can Now Appeal Over Perceived Unfair Treatment

[MacRumors]

Apple today updated its App Store Review Guidelines to reflect its newly unveiled software versions, including iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15. The updated guidelines also address developer trust and safety issues.

In addition, two updates have been made to the App Review contact form on Apple's website. First, developers who appeal an app rejection can now specify if they believe their app was rejected due to unfair treatment by the App Review team, including political bias or other forms of bias. Second, developers can now report other apps if they believe they present trust or safety concerns, or otherwise violate the App Store Review Guidelines.

The updated App Store Review Guidelines:

• 1.4.1: "Hookup" apps that may include pornography or be used to facilitate prostitution will be rejected.
• 1.2.1: Added new guideline for creator content.
• 1.4.3 and 5.1.1(ix): Addressed in-app sales from licensed and legal cannabis dispensaries.
• 1.7: Apps for reporting alleged criminal activity must involve local law enforcement, and can only be offered in countries where such involvement is active.
• 2.3.1: Clarified that misleading marketing, whether it takes place inside or outside of the App Store, is grounds for removal from the App Store and the Apple Developer Program.
• 2.3.10: Simplified the rule on irrelevant information in app metadata.
• 3.1.1: Clarified that digital gift cards can only be sold using in-app purchase, and that physical gift cards that are sold within an app and then mailed to customers may use payment methods other than in-app purchase.
• 3.1.2(a): Expanded the guideline that allows cellular carrier apps to include music and video subscriptions in pre-defined bundles attached to data plans to clarify that carrier apps can include other kinds of subscriptions, so long as in-app purchase is supported for new users and the carrier provides a mechanism for customers to revert to an in-app purchase subscription after the bundled service expires or terminates.
• 3.1.3: Clarified the email communication policy for apps that are permitted to use purchase methods other than in-app purchase.
• 4.2: Clarified that apps that do not provide adequate utility may not be accepted on the App Store.
• 4.3: Added drinking game apps as a saturated category.
• 4.7: Reformatted by adding 4.7.1 and 4.7.2 for clarity.
• 5.1.1(v): Apps supporting account creation must also offer account deletion.
• 5.6 and 5.6.1 – 5.6.4: Expanded the Developer Code of Conduct to address additional developer trust and safety issues. New rules in this section require developer identity information to be accurate and up to date; make clear that manipulating any element of the App Store experience such as reviews and charts is not permitted; and that excessive customer reports about concerns with an app may be a factor in deciding whether the developer is complying with the Code of Conduct.
• Bug Fix Submissions: Bug fixes for safety issues will not be delayed over guideline violations.

The updated App Store Review Guidelines are available on Apple's website, and the App Review contact form can be found here.

Article Link: Apple Updates App Store Review Guidelines, Says Developers Can Now Appeal Over Perceived Unfair Treatment

 

[Acidsplat]

Interesting timing

 

[Kulfon]

So where are all the smart youtubers that have predicted new mac mini, MBP with M1X/M2 14” and 16”?

 

[Apple_Robert]

This is a really good move by Apple and one that should have been there from the start.

 

[zorinlynx]

So where are all the smart youtubers that have predicted new mac mini, MBP with M1X/M2 14” and 16”?

Probably napping on the giant piles of money they made from us watching their stupid videos.

 

[_Spinn_]

This is a good change.

 

[countryside]

• 1.4.1: "Hookup" apps that may include pornography or be used to facilitate prostitution will be rejected.

So Tinder is dead?

 

[nvmls]

Good, will Epic use it? 🧐

 

[countryside]

5.1.1(v): Apps supporting account creation must also offer account deletion.

This is major!

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Epic has entered the chat.

 

[Wildkraut]

Appeal to the ones that treated them bad LMAO
Getting a lawyer and suing is a better way.

 

[JPack]

How does the App Review Board make a decision? By deferring to the App Review Team?

Without transparency on how it works, it might as well be just another black hole.

 

[Wildkraut]

How does the App Review Board make a decision? By deferring to the App Review Team?

By rolling a dice, and checking how the wind blows.

 

[TechRemarker]

"

• 5.1.1(v): Apps supporting account creation must also offer account deletion."

That seems massive. So many companies allow you to easily signup for an account service, but to prevent cancellations they put as many road blocks in your path as possible such as requiring you to call or contact support. Even progressive companies like NY Times, to the old offenders like Sirius. Looking forward to this going into effect.

 

[alternamelka]

• 1.4.1: "Hookup" apps that may include pornography or be used to facilitate prostitution will be rejected.

Grindr is getting deleted omg….

 

[9927036]

Interesting timing

Haha. Nothing to do with a judge. 🤣

 

[9927036]

This is a really good move by Apple and one that should have been there from the start.

Yes, I wonder why it took them so long? 🤣

 

[BWhaler]

Adding the ability to snitch. Nice.

(seriously, developers see more terrible behavior than most.)

 

[kmann1983]

I never understood why porn was something Apple has never liked. Porn and profanity. Literally, no one means "ducking". Unless their target audience is kids but if that were the case, why allow ANYTHING over 18 like drinking games? Or dating apps?

Does look like Epic has Apple a little nervous, if not out-right scared.

 

[Scipster]

3.1.1: Clarified that digital gift cards can only be sold using in-app purchase, and that physical gift cards that are sold within an app and then mailed to customers may use payment methods other than in-app purchase.

Does this include digital gift cards from Target/Walmart/Amazon which are meant for physical purchases? Or digital gift cards/redemption codes for xbox/playstation/nintendo games that they sell?

Or does this only apply to gift cards for in-app content?

 

[joecomo]

I never understood why porn was something Apple has never liked. Porn and profanity. Literally, no one means "ducking". Unless their target audience is kids but if that were the case, why allow ANYTHING over 18 like drinking games? Or dating apps?

Does look like Epic has Apple a little nervous, if not out-right scared.

they are also imposing American puritanism on the rest of the world - here in Europe nobody cares about nudity.

 

[brightonguy]

What did I miss in the Epic vs Apple case regarding pornography that you guys are assuming this new “hookup apps” section is related to it?

Also, am I correct to think that Apple is going to ban any “hook up” apps outright?

What makes an app a hook-up app and a social networking app?

This is interesting. I can’t see how Apple can enforce this. There are no pornography apps on the App Store anyway.

 

[Scipster]

What did I miss in the Epic vs Apple case regarding pornography that you guys are assuming this new “hookup apps” section is related to it?

Also, am I correct to think that Apple is going to ban any “hook up” apps outright?

What makes an app a hook-up app and a social networking app?

This is interesting. I can’t see how Apple can enforce this. There are no pornography apps on the App Store anyway.

You're absolutely right. I don't think this applies to Tinder, Grindr, or the like. Just apps that are dedicated to porn/escorts - none of which currently exist.

One of Apple's core arguments against Epic's claims is that third party app stores may lead to pornography and hookup apps on iOS devices which, in the words of Craig Federighi, children - heck, even toddlers - use. There was a whole discussion about itch.io and what it could mean for the millions of families and educators that rely on Apple to provide safe, family friendly environments. Only Apple stands between the end user and nsfw apps.

Of course there is the massive loophole that is the internet.

But I don't expect Apple to crack down on social networking or dating apps.

 

[Apple_Robert]

they are also imposing American puritanism on the rest of the world - here in Europe nobody cares about nudity.

What a nakedly stark thing to say.

 

[Cosmosent]

​

• 2.3.1: Clarified that misleading marketing, whether it takes place inside or outside of the App Store, is grounds for removal from the App Store and the Apple Developer Program.

Who makes the Call on that ?

I.e., who decides whether some Marketing point is misleading OR NOT ?

Appears to be a Guideline that Apple can use whenever they like, regardless of the facts !

I don't like this one at all !

Apple wants to be Judge, Jury, & Executioner !