Apple updated its App Store Review Guidelines this week, adding stricter language around low-quality apps.The 4.3 Spam rule already barred overly simple apps in saturated categories, but Apple now includes language saying low-effort apps could be pulled from the App Store.Apps in oversaturated categories that are not updated, improved, or do not attract customers may be removed, according to Apple.
App Guideline 4.3(b) New Language: App Guideline 4.3(b) Old Language: Apple says it won't approve dating, flashlight, sound effect, wallpaper, simple timer, and fortune telling apps unless they are meaningfully different from existing apps.Apple says fart, burp, Kama Sutra, and drinking game apps are "mediocre, low-quality, or low-effort" and add no value to the App Store.Repeated app submissions of this type could lead to removal from the Developer Program.
Wording on spam apps is clearer than before, and it sounds like Apple will approve fewer apps in saturated categories and may even clean up some clutter apps that get no interest.Apple also added new detail to its 1.2 rule on apps with user-generated content, which is a guideline that has seen Apple threaten to remove apps like Grok from the App Store.Apple now makes it clear that app developers are responsible for removing content that violates App Store guidelines, such as pornographic content.
Apps that do not have a compliance plan for addressing content violations could be removed from the App Store.Apple's final guideline change (4.5.3) bars app developers from using Live Activities to spam, phish, or send unsolicited messages to customers.The full App Store Review Guidelines are available on Apple's website.
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