Apple terminated developer account for unstated fraud after minor app update | Hacker News Reader

Apple terminated developer account for unstated fraud after minor app update

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26 points_qulr12 comments

> UPDATE: Attics has been approved and my account will no longer be terminated -- apparently my app had been copied across the App Store many times and it wasn't caught that mine was the original. Thank you everyone for spreading this and helping me keep my account!

https://twitter.com/_zacwood/status/1298105327699791878?s=20

I mean as an iOS developer I hope Apple is banning developers who steal/copy apps like in this case. Obviously they terminated the wrong dev, but they also fixed theor mistake quickly.

Yikes... I mean it's not that hard to look at the first uploaded date. Unfortunately they don't really have any pressure to do better in this area not like anyone can go to another app store.

"For this reason, your Apple Developer Program membership will be terminated. This appeal decision is final, and any subsequent appeals you file will be closed without review."

Just think about that. The developer can't even prove they're the original, not a copy, because Apple refuses to listen. (Not to mention the fact that Apple didn't even tell the developer the exact reason until _after_ the account was reinstated.)

Going public and hoping for attention is the only recourse.

From the developer: Submitted a minor update for @AtticsApp after nearly two years on the App Store and @Apple has decided out of nowhere that I have been engaging in "a pattern of manipulative or misleading behavior" and has permanently terminated my account. No evidence or specific reasons given.

This is a completely free "hobby" app by the developer, so the allegation of fraud (with no details) by Apple is quite bizarre.

Before anyone starts speculating on what the developer did "wrong", keep in mind that the Mac developer Charlie Monroe was mistakenly flagged and then reinstated by Apple just a few weeks ago: http://blog.charliemonroe.net/a-day-without-business/

His app opens fine for me: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/attics/id1434981632

Does it normally disappear if a dev account is terminated?

Not necessarily.

You would think a developer accused of something as serious as _fraud_ would have their apps at least removed from the app store... this whole thing is a little odd.

Being considered by Apple to have defrauded Apple does not necessarily indicate that Apple sees a risk of user harm stemming from that fraud.

The app is still in the store at the moment, which is even stranger.

I know it can sometimes take hours for an app to propagate in the App Store after it's been released by the developer. No idea how it works for Apple pulling an app though, if they did or will pull it.

The developer in a tweeted reply: "3.2(f) of the agreement seems to be centered around App Store fraud and deceptive business practice. Given it's free w/o IAP, and I've never advertised the app, not sure where they're getting that from"

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