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Developer account removed by Apple

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Re: Developer account removed by Apple

#61

Post by 2OEH8eoCRo0 »

Manuel_D wrote: post #8

If the fake reviews are indeed the reason why the apps were taken off the store, that does strike me as an inappropriate action. Take down the reviews, yes. But closing the developer account creates a big opportunity to eliminate competition by buying fake reviews for your competitors. There's also nothing developers can do to prevent this since they can't curate or reject reviews from what I know. That said, other c…

I've been told this is OK because there is plenty of real competition in this space so developers can vote with their feet and develop on other platforms.

Re: Developer account removed by Apple

#62

Post by LocalH »

sealeck wrote: post #18
Manuel_D wrote: post #8

If the fake reviews are indeed the reason why the apps were taken off the store, that does strike me as an inappropriate action. Take down the reviews, yes. But closing the developer account creates a big opportunity to eliminate competition by buying fake reviews for your competitors. There's also nothing developers can do to prevent this since they can't curate or reject reviews from what I know. That said, other c…

> In that scenario, Apple should have been more specific in their communications. Often AML policy prohibits this because it could be constituted as tipping off the offender.

This is garbage. Imagine if other law worked this way. "We're going to arrest you and put you in jail, but we won't tell you what you're accused of, nor give you a proper appeal." During an investigation, I get it. After charges have been leveled? Most certainly not.

Re: Developer account removed by Apple

#63

Post by paulcole »

mariopt wrote: post #50
mortallywounded wrote: post #4

Something feels off... those apps don't seem like 33K/MRR worthy. I suspect some kind of manipulation was being done to... help?

I have used "free" apps that require you to enable a trial but then I forgot to cancel it and ended up paying 3 weeks or so. Isn't this the way most mobile apps bring their revenue today?

Yes, subscription apps earn revenue as a result of people who chose not to cancel their subscriptions.

Re: Developer account removed by Apple

#64

Post by adastra22 »

Manuel_D wrote: post #8

If the fake reviews are indeed the reason why the apps were taken off the store, that does strike me as an inappropriate action. Take down the reviews, yes. But closing the developer account creates a big opportunity to eliminate competition by buying fake reviews for your competitors. There's also nothing developers can do to prevent this since they can't curate or reject reviews from what I know. That said, other c…

> In that scenario, Apple should have been more specific in their communications.

In that scenario Apple is highly constrained in what they can say.

Re: Developer account removed by Apple

#65

Post by SenAnder »

Manuel_D wrote: post #8

If the fake reviews are indeed the reason why the apps were taken off the store, that does strike me as an inappropriate action. Take down the reviews, yes. But closing the developer account creates a big opportunity to eliminate competition by buying fake reviews for your competitors. There's also nothing developers can do to prevent this since they can't curate or reject reviews from what I know. That said, other c…

> That smells more like money laundering or fraud.

Does Apple get to decide this, and just keep the money, without involving any court of law? Someone mentioned anti-money laundering laws and secrecy, but can that manifest as losing your money, without trial or even being informed that you're accused of anything? That would seem to violate a few constitutional rights.

Re: Developer account removed by Apple

#66

Post by natch »

ssijak wrote: post #32
namanyayg wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One way apps get high MRR is by offering free trial for a small period, then charging for subscriptions later The user forgets about the subscriptions and ends up paying for a while before cancelling This is probably what apple means by "bait and switch" Of course I can't say if these app did this or not, I am just saying this is a common practice

that is done by literally 80% of the paid apps. so I suspect that is not the banned behavior. it's the same on the web, you sign up for a free trial but leave the CC

“Everyone (80%) does it so it’s ok”

That may be true but it may just be that Apple hates this but has trouble writing the right set of rules that don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.

And then when they get the slightest excuse (the fake fake reviews yes double fake) then they take the opportunity to close the unpleasant account.

Actually if 20% of the apps don’t do these scummy dark patterns, I’d just as soon see only those better apps in the store.

Re: Developer account removed by Apple

#68

Post by kojeovo »

Not that I am arguing in favor for how things currently work re Apple's ecosystem, but from a quick look it seems like these apps bait you into paying and the developer is just completely ignoring that part. I think that's what Apple is not fond of.

Re: Developer account removed by Apple

#69

Post by djbusby »

api wrote: post #59
tsunamifury wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you’ve ever been in the App Store for any length of time you’ll see how lazily retributive Apple is. It’s not a company I’d ever do business with.

Is Play Store or Steam any better? All these stores are basically little monopolies with zero incentive to not suck. They also suck from a user point of view. Search is terrible, they’re full of shovelware, etc.

Play Store is the same level of crap as Apple App store (experience across multiple projects for like 10+ years).

No experience on Steam but a few indie-game devs I know think it's OK. I've not heard them complain like App-devs on those phone-stores.

Re: Developer account removed by Apple

#70

Post by the_af »

slezyr wrote: post #43

Russian guy saying that he is in Chile in the first sentence? Absolutely nothing suspicious. https://companies.rbc.ru/id/1215600010141-obschestvo-s-ogran... It is even a Russian company. It was registered a bit before the war started and liquidated not so long ago.

> Russian guy saying that he is in Chile in the first sentence? Absolutely nothing suspicious.

Being Russian doesn't make you suspicious of anything.

There are lots of young Russian people coming to Latin America recently, presumably (if I had to guess) to escape the war. Source: seen this with my own eyes.

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