Tag: app store

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Apple reports App Store stopped nearly $1.5 billion in fraudulent transactions in 2021

Apple announced that the App Store prevented nearly $1.5 billion USD (about $1.894 million CAD) in fraud activity throughout 2021. The company attributes its App Review process as being a key facet in this accomplishment.

Last year, Apple’s App Review prevented over 1.6 million untrustworthy apps and app updates from defrauding users. Apple has been continuously building its fraud prevention system. As such, in 2021, Apple released its first fraud prevention analysis, showing it protected customers from more than $1.5 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions in 2020. As a now-annual update, the company reports it accomplished the same in 2021.

Apple’s App Review combines computer automation with manual human review. This system utilizes proprietary tools with machine learning and heuristics. The process also takes advantage of data Apple accumulated since the 2008 launch of the App Store.

The company also takes advantage of the App Review human team. This sector reviews every app and every update in order to ensure they follow the intricate App Store guidelines. These guidelines relate to privacy, spam, and user security.

Based on the new outline of Apple’s App Review, the company assisted over 107,000 developers to get their apps on the App Store. Over 835,000 new apps and 805,000 app updates were rejected, however. These were declined by Apple due to a range of reasons. Though, Apple does state that any developer who feels their app was incorrectly flagged can file an appeal with the App Review Board.

There were a minor amount of rejections made for more potentially harmful violations. Apple confirms that in 2021, 34,500 apps were rejected for containing hidden and undocumented features. 157,000 app rejections were made for spammy, user manipulation, or misleading components.

Apple removes any developer found to be misleading users or conducting fraudulent activity from the Apple Developer Program. The Developer Code states that the company requires developers to represent their app accurately and honestly on the App Store. Apple commits to deactivating fraudulent customer accounts too. In 2021, the company banned over 170 million customer accounts due to fraud and abusive activity.

Apple’s App Store guidelines have faced criticism in the past. Developers have voiced their opinions in the past on how guideline regulations may deter competition. However, in the scope of fraud prevention, the App Review seemingly is able to help both developers and users alike.

Image credit: Apple

Source: Apple

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Apple’s new rules let iOS apps automatically raise subscription costs

Barcelona, Spain – June 7, 2018: Logo of Apple Inc. on a Apple store. Apple is the multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California and sells consumer electronics products.

Alongside iOS 15.5‘s release, Apple launched a set of rules that change how auto-renewing subscriptions work in the App Store.

According to the new rules, instead of asking users to agree to a price increase, developers can now hike up the cost of an app without the subscriber’s consent. However, this shift is helpful for developers since it likely won’t result in as many users unsubscribing when they up the subscription cost of an app, and it’s arguably pretty awful for consumers.

Apple says that this change saves users from their subscriptions being automatically cancelled when they miss the opt-in notification tied to a price increase. While true, I’d rather miss a notification and automatically be unsubscribed from an app than shell out additional money I don’t want to spend — there are a lot of App Store subscriptions I’d cancel if I were aware of a price increase. You could also argue that some app developers will likely take advantage of this feature to suck more profit from subscribers.

However, there are still additional rules on Apple’s end. For example, the increase can’t exceed $5 or 50 percent of the current subscription cost or $50 and 50 percent of the annual subscription cost. So at the very least, app developers can’t outright price gouge their subscribers with increases.

This shift in App Store policy will result in me watching my subscriptions far more closely as I subscribe to several apps through Apple’s App Store. Most apps will send out emails to users regarding price hikes, so I’ll be keeping a closer eye on my email inbox moving forward.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Apple Via: Engadget

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Apple issues statement to developers, clarifying decision to remove older apps without updates

Barcelona, Spain – June 7, 2018: Logo of Apple Inc. on a Apple store. Apple is the multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California and sells consumer electronics products.

Apple is clarifying its decision to begin removing “outdated” apps from the App Store. The criteria surrounding this decision stem from the iPhone maker’s new policy. It requires developers to provide updates to their software every three years.

Following developer complaints last week, Apple now states in a press release that this is all a part of the app Store Improvements policy. Moving forward, the company now requires developers to provide consistent updates within a three-year window and hit a minimal download threshold. Failure to do so results in Apple issuing a notice that their software will be removed from the App Store.

“As part of the App Store Improvements process, developers of apps that have not been updated within the last three years and fail to meet a minimal download threshold — meaning the app has not been downloaded at all or extremely few times during a rolling 12 month period — receive an email notifying them that their app has been identified for possible removal from the App Store.”

A handful of developers came forward last week after receiving a notice regarding their app. Moitivoto developer Robert Kabwe received Apple’s App Store Improvement Notice, stating the game has “not been updated in a significant amount of time.” Likewise, Emilia Lazer-Walker reported receiving the same.

Both developers express their personal frustrations. In both cases, the developers believe their apps and games are in a finished state. Kabwe believes his game is “fully functioning” and has been for the last three years.

Of course, this also brings the conversation of software and game preservation into the fold. Apple confirms that any user who has already purchased a removed app will experience no interruptions. Though, if an app or game is in a working and complete state, users should be able to theoretically purchase and install it for years down the road. Additionally, Apple hasn’t clarified its threshold when claiming an “app has not been downloaded at all or extremely few times.”

At the time the first reports came through, Apple warned developers that they had 30 days to submit an update. Though, Apple now states that developers will be given up to 90 days to update their apps.

This new policy puts additional pressure on developers. Smaller indie teams may not have the time or budget to invest in additional updates to completed projects.

Image credit: Apple

Source: The Verge

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Apple Music and the App Store are experiencing issues

If you’re unable to access Apple Music or the App Store, you’re not alone.

Apple’s status page currently notes that both platforms are experiencing issues with both services. For Apple Music, the status page says that “users may be experiencing intermittent issues with this service, while the App Store says, “users may be experiencing a problem with this service.”

Down Detector currently cites several reports of issues across both Apple Music and the App Store starting at roughly 10am ET this morning.

This story will be updated when the services are fully restored.

Are you running into issues with Apple Music and the App Store? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: Apple 

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Apple to delist completed games that haven’t been updated “in a significant amount of time”

Indie developers have begun receiving emails from Apple notifying them that the company is delisting their app from the App Store. The notification states that due to insufficient updates, Apple will remove the game or app in 30 days.

Match three game Motivoto faces delisting as a developer of the game took to Twitter to show Apple’s email. In it, the company says the app has “not been updated in a significant amount of time.” Therefore, it is scheduled to remove the app from the App Store in 30 days.

Apple continues and says “no action is required for the app to remain available to users who have already downloaded the app.” However, developer Protopop Games must submit an update in 30 days for review. Otherwise, Motivoto will be removed from sale.

Clarifying the last time Motivoto was updated, Protopop Games states the game hasn’t received an update since March 2019. However, the developer claims Motivoto is “fully functioning” and has been for the last three years.

Similarly, another indie developer took to Twitter stating Apple is delisting “a few” older games for the same reason. As with Motivoto, Twitter user @lazerwalker claims that the games in question “aren’t suitable for updates” and “they’re finished artworks from years ago.”

Apple’s policy to remove apps without regular updates is a part of the company’s App Store Improvements measure. The policy is to ensure all “apps available on the App Store are functional and up-to-date.” However, doing so raises a pain point for preservation. Users who have purchased the game or app experience no interruptions. However, delisting prevents new players and users from accessing the app.

To avoid being delisted, Apple suggests regular updates “to fix bugs, offer new content, provide additional services, or make other improvements.” However, as both developers point out, that’s not always sustainable.

Source: @protopop

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Apple now lets developers register to use external web pages for subscriptions

Apple now lets developers of ‘reader’ apps apply for the ability to direct users to the web to manage their accounts and complete subscription purchases.

The change comes as part of a settlement with the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) from September 2021. However, despite the agreement being with the JFTC, Apple will apply the change globally.

As per a developer support page posted by Apple on March 30th (via Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman), developers with eligible apps can now apply for an entitlement to use external websites to handle subscriptions rather than using Apple’s in-app payment system. That system requires developers to pay a 15 or 30 percent cut of transactions to Apple and has been the core of most of the regulatory action and developer complaints against the company in recent months.

Of course, Apple’s new system has some restrictions. First, it’s only available for ‘reader’ apps, which confusingly, include things like Netflix and Spotify. Apple describes reader apps as apps that provide “one or more of the following digital content types — magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, or video — as the primary functionality of the app.”

Developers of readers apps then need to fill out this form requesting an ‘External Link Account Entitlement’ to add external linking to an app. Moreover, Apple lists several requirements to be eligible for the entitlement, which you can view below:

  • As the primary functionality of your app, provide one or more of the following digital content types; magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, or video.
  • Allow people to sign in to an account.
  • Allow people to access content or services previously purchased outside of the app when signed in, such as on your website.
  • Not offer in-app purchases on iOS or iPadOS while using the External Link Account Entitlement
  • Not facilitate real-time, person-to-person services (e.g., providing tutoring services, medical consultations, real estate tours, or fitness training).

On top of that, developers will need to configure the entitlement in Xcode, edit their ‘Info.plist’ file, and add an ‘in-app modal sheet’ with a warning for users that the app is taking them to a website to manage their account. Developers can find the full details here.

Overall, it’s good to see Apple finally opening up this functionality in the App Store, even if the process of adding external links is convoluted. It’s also a win for companies like Netflix and Spotify, who can now start adding direct links to their websites for users to sign-up.

It’s also worth noting this change comes after Google announced plans to test a ‘User Choice Billing’ system that would allow developers to offer alternate payment options in the Play Store. Spotify is so far one of the only ones signed on to test the pilot program.

Source: Apple Via: Mark Gurman (Twitter)

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Ukraine asked Tim Cook to block Russia from the App Store

Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov has asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to block Russian citizens from accessing the App Store amid the ongoing invasion.

Fedorov tweeted a purported copy of an official request to Cook, writing that “modern technology is perhaps the best answer to the tanks, multiple rocket launchers (hrad) and missiles.”

Fedorov also appeals to Russia’s youth and active population to resist the invasion. However, it’s possible that restricting App Store access could block Russian citizens from apps and services used to coordinate resistance.

Spotted by CNET, a tweet from UC Irvine Law Professors and former UN Special Rapporteur on free speech David Kaye warns of the possibility.

The request comes as Canada, the U.S., and others impose sanctions on Russia over the invasion. Additionally, several Canadian carriers have waived long-distance charges for people calling Ukraine.

CNET notes that Ukraine appears to be trying various technology-based defences, including reportedly recruiting its hacker community to protect infrastructure and report on Russian military movements.

Source: Mykhailo Fedorov (Twitter) Via: CNET

Categories
Mobile Syrup

New Peleton CEO is looking into an app store and revamped subscription

Peleton’s new CEO Barry McCarthy suggests the company is exploring an app store and a reinvented subscription model for the company.  In an interview with New York Times’ DealBook, McCarthy says that this would be an attempt to kickstart sales as things have stagnated for the fitness brand.

The CEO likes the idea of an app store being featured as a part of their products, allowing third-party content to be made available on the platform. McCarthy mentions that “Today, [Peleton} is a closed platform — but it could be an open platform and part of the creator economy.”

The executive thinks this effort could widen the scope of what the company offers, including services like running a Peleton app store and such from outside their walled garden.

He says that Peleton is much more than just hardware now and that it is more about the experience including the music, instructors, and community features.

Looking even further down the line, McCarthy hints at the possibility of shaking up the fitness company’s subscription model. He says the company wants to find a “sweet spot” between the pricey cost of Peleton hardware and the subscription it offers. The CEO ponders on a future where the upfront cost is much lower but with a higher subscription fee of between $70 and $80. This is in stark contrast to the upwards of $1000 it can cost to get a piece of Peleton equipment with a $39 a month subscription fee.

Image Source: Peleton

Source: New York Times

Categories
Mobile Syrup

New Peleton CEO is looking into an app store and revamped subscription

Peleton’s new CEO Barry McCarthy suggests the company is exploring an app store and a reinvented subscription model for the company.  In an interview with New York Times’ DealBook, McCarthy says that this would be an attempt to kickstart sales as things have stagnated for the fitness brand.

The CEO likes the idea of an app store being featured as a part of their products, allowing third-party content to be made available on the platform. McCarthy mentions that “Today, [Peleton} is a closed platform — but it could be an open platform and part of the creator economy.”

The executive thinks this effort could widen the scope of what the company offers, including services like running a Peleton app store and such from outside their walled garden.

He says that Peleton is much more than just hardware now and that it is more about the experience including the music, instructors, and community features.

Looking even further down the line, McCarthy hints at the possibility of shaking up the fitness company’s subscription model. He says the company wants to find a “sweet spot” between the pricey cost of Peleton hardware and the subscription it offers. The CEO ponders on a future where the upfront cost is much lower but with a higher subscription fee of between $70 and $80. This is in stark contrast to the upwards of $1000 it can cost to get a piece of Peleton equipment with a $39 a month subscription fee.

Image Source: Peleton

Source: New York Times

Categories
Mobile Syrup

White House, 35 states, Microsoft back Epic’s App Store appeal

The White House, 35 U.S. states and Microsoft have filed ‘amicus curiae’ briefs supporting Epic Games in its appeal in the antitrust case against Apple.

9to5Mac explains that third parties not directly involved in cases may want a say, particularly when the case has significant public interest. Third parties can file amicus curiae — literally “friend of the court” — briefs with advice for the judge. These briefs all essentially argue the original judge made a legal error in deciding how a key antitrust law applies to Apple.

To refresh your memory, the original ruling concluded that Apple didn’t meet the legal tests to be considered a monopoly but did rule that Apple had to allow developers to use third-party payment platforms if they want. Apple and Epic have both filed appeals on different aspects of the ruling, with Epic focusing on the conclusion that Apple isn’t a monopoly.

Foss Patents detailed the three amicus briefings. The first was submitted by Utah’s state attorney general and included 34 other state attorneys general (AGs). Foss Patents notes the list is basically the same as the states suing Google alongside Epic in a separate antitrust case. The list is as follows:

“The states–led by the Beehive State–are (in alphabetical order): Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, D.C. (I’m not taking a position on the controversial question of statehood here), Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah (submitter), Vermont, and Washington.”

The states’ argument focuses on Section 1 of the Sherman Act, a key piece of U.S. antitrust legislation. A short explanation from 9to5 is that Section 1 says companies can’t make agreements among themselves to distort competition (for example, several companies agreeing to charge the same price for something). Section 2, however, says that companies in a dominant position can’t take unilateral actions designed to give themselves a monopoly.

Foss Patents explains that the focus on Section 1 is strange for the Epic v. Apple case but notes that it stems from the states’ own case against Google.

The White House claims not to support either party, but its arguments back Epic

Microsoft’s amicus brief focuses on “Apple’s extraordinary gatekeeper power” and serves as an example of another ‘Big Tech’ company concerned and impacted by Apple’s conduct.

Finally, the White House filed its own amicus brief, claiming that it’s “in support of neither party” before laying out several arguments that support important elements of Epic’s case, including that Section 2 of the Sherman Act should apply to Apple. Foss Elements has a great breakdown of the brief here.

However, it’s important to note that these amicus briefings do not mean Epic will win its appeal. A judge is obliged to consider amicus brief arguments but ultimately makes their own decision. Still, the sheer amount of support behind Epic in the appeal is impressive and could definitely lead to a ruling in Epic’s favour.

Source: 9to5Mac, Foss Patents, (2)