14 DAY TRIAL // The recently-launched Apple News+ service infringes on a series of App Store rules, according to a former company employee, and the Cupertino-based tech giant allows it despite banning other developers for such violations.
Dave DeLong explains on Twitter that Apple’s auto-renewing subscription screen “is in violation of guideline 3.1.2” of the App Store rules, so the app should be rejected.
“For starters, no links to privacy policy or support page [and] no info on how to cancel,” DeLong explains.
“I’m honestly surprised there hasn’t been an extremely public lawsuit against @apple about the huge #DoubleStandards and inconsistent application of the App Review Guidelines. Seems ripe for a class-action lawsuit, IMO,” he continued.
Missing info
According to Apple’s own policies, services that are offered with a subscription must include information on the subscription name, duration, and the content or services provided to customers, a link to the app’s Terms of Use, information on how users are charged and they can manage the subscription.
Additional information is also required, like the billing amount in the currency available locally for each customer, a link to the privacy policy, and a way for subscribers to sign in or restore purchases.
As you can see in the screenshot here and published by DeLong, several of these details are actually missing from the Apple News+ subscription screen, which should technically trigger the removal of the app from the Store.
“App Review will reject any 3rd party app that tries to do an IAP Auto-renewing subscription is this manner. They’re huge sticklers about even having the smallest thing missing. If a 3rd party app tried to do the screenshot I tweeted, they’d be immediately rejected,” DeLong explains.
Apple hasn’t offered a statement on these claims, but this isn’t the first time the company is accused of double standards. More recently, the company used push notifications to advertise a limited-time Apple Music promo on iPhones, an activity that’s forbidden as per the App Store policy.