As Epic is trying to tarnish the halo of Apple’s App Store in a legal battle, the latter is separately highlighting its security. The Cupertino-based company said in a press release that it was able to keep off its users from potential fraud totalling to $1.5B in 2020.
Apple is boasting that their app marketplace is “a safe and trusted place for users.” The company adds that they are proactive in discovering and taking down fraudulent users and developers.
It comes at a significant time: the Epic vs. Apple battle is highlighting the App Store review practices.
Also, Mobile app developer Kosta Eleftheriou, on the start of 2021, called out Apple for rampant scam problems proliferating the App Store’s integrity, The Verge reports.
Eleftheriou goes on to sue the company for alleged monopoly in March 2021, TechCrunch reports.
On the other hand, the Cupertino company highlighted how it saved its users from theft of both money and, the priceless, personal information. It is a combination of stringent App Review process, active monitoring of developer accounts, and scrupulous examination of fake ratings and reviews.
App Store Protection in Numbers
Particularly, Apple showed in an infograph that it rejected about 48,000 apps for containing hidden or undocumented features. Another 150,000 apps were blocked for cloning other apps to mislead users. In terms of privacy violations, about 215,000 apps were declined during the App Store review.
Apple also revealed that it has rejected and removed apps that suddenly switched to money gambling, loan issuing, and illicit broadcasting. The said functionalities are not declared when they initially signed up for a review.
Even with the stringent review process, fraudsters still find its way to the Apple marketplace. The company observed developer accounts that were involved in fraud activities, and about 470,000 of them were terminated. It also noted that these developers will not be allowed to create an account again.
In addition, the company also prevented use of stolen credit cards. More than 3 million of it were refrained from purchasing in the App Store.
Fake Reviews and Ratings
When it comes to faking reviews and ratings, a total of 244 million user accounts were deactivated. Apple assured that their reviews were also removed from the store. The company was also effective in rejecting account creations of those who would do the same. A whopping 424 million were rejected.
All these statistics are from 2020 alone.
Furthermore, according to Apple, the combination of human expertise and technology saved users’ money, time, and information.
App Store’s Reputation
Apple, in its press release, is painting a picture that its App Store is the golden standard of security. On the other hand, other developers are bringing up its alleged anti-competitive behavior.
On May 11, Apple was sued in the United Kingdom for $20 million. The claimant accuses that the company’s users are carrying the load of the alleged, overcharged 30% commissions from its developers. It also claimed that the developer fees are unlawful.
Related Article: Apple Alocates $45 Million to iPhone’s Ceramic Screen, Gorilla Glass Supplier — Is it a Hint for the Bendable iPhone?
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Written by Teejay Boris
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