Apple Revises App Review Guidelines to Tackle Imitation Applications
Apple has revised its App Review Guidelines, implementing a number of new rules designed to enhance the integrity of the App Store and tackle the issue of copycat applications. This revision encompasses a total of nine amendments, with a notable emphasis on deterring developers from misappropriating the branding of other developers.
### ‘Develop Your Own Concepts’
Apple routinely updates its App Review Guidelines to respond to market dynamics. The latest revision underscores the importance of originality and discourages developers from replicating successful applications. A significant addition is a new rule in section 4.1, entitled “Copycats,” which specifies:
> **4.1 Copycats**
> (c) You may not utilize another developer’s icon, brand, or product name in your app’s icon or title, without the developer’s authorization.
This rule supports existing guidelines that already warn against imitation and impersonation. The former rules comprise:
> (a) Develop your own concepts. We understand you have them, so bring yours to fruition. Avoid merely duplicating the latest trending app on the App Store, or making minor alterations to another app’s title or UI and presenting it as your own. Besides the risk of an intellectual property violation claim, it complicates App Store navigation and is unfair to other developers.
> (b) Submitting applications that impersonate other applications or services is deemed a breach of the Developer Code of Conduct and could lead to expulsion from the Apple Developer Program.
The recent rise in copycat applications, especially following OpenAI’s official app launch, has compelled Apple to act promptly. The company has endeavored to eliminate or rename these imitation applications, emphasizing the persistent challenge of preserving originality in the App Store.
### What Other Changes Occurred?
In addition to the newly introduced branding rule, several other amendments have been made to the App Review Guidelines:
– **1.2.1(a)**: Creator applications must offer a mechanism for users to identify content that surpasses the app’s age rating and enforce age restrictions based on verified or declared age.
– **2.5.10**: The guideline stipulating that apps should not be submitted with vacant ad banners or test ads has been annulled.
– **3.2.2(ix)**: Loan applications are specified to not impose a maximum APR exceeding 36%, inclusive of costs and fees, and must not mandate full repayment within 60 days or less.
– **4.7**: Clarifies that HTML5 and JavaScript mini apps and mini games are encompassed within the guidelines.
– **4.7.2**: Applications providing software not integrated into the binary may not extend or expose native platform APIs or technologies without prior consent from Apple.
– **4.7.5**: Similar to 1.2.1(a), this guideline mandates that applications offering non-embedded software provide a method for users to identify content that surpasses the app’s age rating.
– **5.1.1(ix)**: Cryptocurrency exchanges have been incorporated into the list of applications providing services in highly regulated sectors.
– **5.1.2(i)**: Developers must clearly reveal where personal data will be shared with external parties, including third-party AI, and secure explicit consent prior to doing so.
For additional information, the complete App Review Guidelines are available
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