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Ask HN: Apple revoked developer account for 2.5 years and counting

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Re: Ask HN: Apple revoked developer account for 2.5 years and counting

#201

Post by openthc »

ghostly_s wrote: post #172
openthc wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing requires us to publish an app -- but when you make LOB software, the user-base is like "where's the App?" -- so you build one. It's not a strict, absolute requirement -- it's a de-facto requirement (like passing to the left)

what? how does that have anything to do with regulatory compliance then?

I don't think you get it; I'll try again.

  - Our app was for business regulatory compliance obligation.
  - Our clients asked for us to get into the App store (customers love that shit for some reason)
  - The process sucked for us.
I seems like you think we had a regulatory compliance obligation to be in the App store -- we did not; and do not. I only got into this thread because dealing with Apple sucks -- and sucked for us especially hard.

Re: Ask HN: Apple revoked developer account for 2.5 years and counting

#202

Post by openthc »

jordanthoms wrote: post #174
openthc wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing requires us to publish an app -- but when you make LOB software, the user-base is like "where's the App?" -- so you build one. It's not a strict, absolute requirement -- it's a de-facto requirement (like passing to the left)

Did you try with a PWA? Discoverability can be hard vs having an App Store listing but I wonder if that would satisfy your user-base if you made it into a nice experience

Since our struggles (starting in 2016) for this ; feature sets on mobile browsers have improved -- and we've learned more too -- we've mostly dropped "App" type support and have it 99% Bowser based. The only thing we're not able to get now -- but also no longer NEED -- is tight integration with Bluetooth IR/NFC/RFID type scanners ( the Socket Mobile is very popular in our universe -- https://store.socketmobile.com/products/durascan-d750-univer... )

As for Android -- Google is also Cannabis hostile but side-loading onto Android is a breeze (by comparison to iOS)

Re: Ask HN: Apple revoked developer account for 2.5 years and counting

#203

Post by filoeleven »

ashtonkem wrote: post #197
filoeleven wrote: post #195

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure, if you limit “traffic violations” to “driving without a license,” and every car made you present a valid license before it would start. EDIT: The difference being, Apple says YES / NO to every app, and every app always goes through the process, unlike policing traffic violations. If Apple is not being inconsistent, they need to say why.

So don't buy macs. Either way, in this case they blocked a developer that was making what sure as hell looks like spyware to me, I'm not convinced this is a bad thing. Also, you absolutely do need a license to operate a car. Probably not a good metaphor for your case.

Not sure if you replied before or after my edit to clarify. Apple has the capability to consistently enforce its rules here, unlike law enforcement, and does not appear to be doing so.

I personally think all such apps should be blocked. What bothers me is the inconsistency, or the opaqueness that means we cannot determine whether or not there is an inconsistency.

Re: Ask HN: Apple revoked developer account for 2.5 years and counting

#204

Post by calsy »

camhart wrote: post #144
nerdjon wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Then at least what the OP is saying here and what the marketing said would align. But at this time, there is one story of what this app does here (hacker news) and a completely different story from what is being told on the website and marketing. The other apps that they are saying had no issues with approval, follow the story that is being told here. I don't think it changes the problematic nature of the app. But th…

https://web.archive.org/web/20190424203239/https://truple.io... is the landing page when the original version of the app was submitted for notarization. Since you're digging into the ad copy, we might as well be looking at the appropriate website. It's not two stories... I include customer reviews on my landing page that show spouses, individuals, and parents feedback because all benefit from it. The Google Play app…

There is no razors edge here, your app violates nearly every standard Apple uses to distinguish itself from its competitors... privacy, security, safety. Why are you playing victim and getting offended when people point out the obvious? Were you just hoping for answers that blamed Apple?

Re: Ask HN: Apple revoked developer account for 2.5 years and counting

#205

Post by TedDoesntTalk »

calsy wrote: post #204
camhart wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://web.archive.org/web/20190424203239/https://truple.io... is the landing page when the original version of the app was submitted for notarization. Since you're digging into the ad copy, we might as well be looking at the appropriate website. It's not two stories... I include customer reviews on my landing page that show spouses, individuals, and parents feedback because all benefit from it. The Google Play app…

There is no razors edge here, your app violates nearly every standard Apple uses to distinguish itself from its competitors... privacy, security, safety. Why are you playing victim and getting offended when people point out the obvious? Were you just hoping for answers that blamed Apple?

I'm in the minority but I'd rather apple not censor my apps (unless they are malware).

Re: Ask HN: Apple revoked developer account for 2.5 years and counting

#206

Post by GVRV »

tptacek wrote: post #70
GVRV wrote: post #59

I don't understand why people are trying to guess the reason why Apple is doing this. I'm not a fan of this concept, but I wouldn't label it as malware to be used by abusive spouses and parents. If you read the FAQs on the website, it clearly states: Can I hide the Truple notification icon? No. Truple is voluntary use software, and is not intended (or allowed) to be used as spyware. All of our applications require a…

If you read the thread we're commenting on, you'll see that the author removed a conspicuous warning indicator that screen recording was enabled, because their competitors didn't seem to be required to provide one. We don't know who those competitors are, but we do know that the author deliberately made this surveillance app stealthier because they believed they'd get away with it.

My point is that if this is a violation and if the OP is correct that competitors are not following this rule, shouldn't Apple be transparent in its communication with OP? Why drag it out over years with cryptic responses?

Spoiler Alert: Because Apple (and Google) can get away with it.

Re: Ask HN: Apple revoked developer account for 2.5 years and counting

#207

Post by calsy »

TedDoesntTalk wrote: post #205
calsy wrote: post #204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is no razors edge here, your app violates nearly every standard Apple uses to distinguish itself from its competitors... privacy, security, safety. Why are you playing victim and getting offended when people point out the obvious? Were you just hoping for answers that blamed Apple?

I'm in the minority but I'd rather apple not censor my apps (unless they are malware).

It not being censored. Simply creating an app doesn't afford you the privilege of hosting on the app store.

Re: Ask HN: Apple revoked developer account for 2.5 years and counting

#208

Post by supermatt »

camhart wrote: post #10
supermatt wrote: post #8

Fortunately you have an android app, so you are able to use available statistics to estimate loss of earnings. That may be enough to generate enough interest for you to find some form of "no win no fee" legal representation on a matter which I admittedly have no clue about. Good luck!

I've thought about this... but Apple's developer agreement has some wording in it that makes me believe it may not be possible. I'm no lawyer, so it's certainly something I could ask if I go the legal route. Thanks for the suggestion! > Apple shall not be responsible for any costs, expenses, damages, losses or other liabilities You may incur as a result of Your Application development, use of the Apple Software, Appl…

I think this would depend on your jurisdiction. Just because it's in the terms doesn't make it enforceable.

Re: Ask HN: Apple revoked developer account for 2.5 years and counting

#209

Post by TedDoesntTalk »

calsy wrote: post #207
TedDoesntTalk wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm in the minority but I'd rather apple not censor my apps (unless they are malware).

It not being censored. Simply creating an app doesn't afford you the privilege of hosting on the app store.

Without any other way to load the app on the device, it is de facto censorship.

Re: Ask HN: Apple revoked developer account for 2.5 years and counting

#210

Post by raxxorrax »

Many people have warned against mechanisms like app notarization. Ironically the few exceptions that can warrant such a system are apps like yours.

Some still say that is makes computing secure, but I think the arguments are mostly stupid or dishonest.

I don't know what you could do, I would not buy into their ecosystem.

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