AppGratis CEO on Apple's Removal of the Company's App from the App Store

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Posted April 9, 2013 at 8:17pm by iClarified

AppGratis, an app recommendation application for iOS, was recently pulled from the App Store for violating Guideline 2.5 and 5.6. AppGratis sent one push notification per day to users informing them of a hand-picked and tested application that was worth downloading.

Simon Dawlat, CEO at AppGratis, recounts the story of how he heard the news...

A few hours before starting to write this, I landed in São Paulo, Brazil on a visit to our local office here. I turned on my iPhone after an exhausting 12-hour redeye from Paris, only to receive notifications for over 75 missed calls, and a seemingly infinite flow of unread text messages. I almost fainted.

These things only happen when a relative or a friend dies, or gets caught in a terrible accident. I immediately thought that someone in my family had passed away during my flight and couldn’t touch my phone for a few minutes. Scared. Paralyzed. Trying to imagine what the terrible news could be. But by now Apple has issued an official statement, and the Wall Street Journal has published it. And as you’ve guessed, my friends and relatives are fine. They’re just worried for me now.

Dawlat says that Apple pulled his application for allegedly violating Guidelines 2.25 and 5.6.

Guideline 2.25 says that "Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected."

Guideline 5.6 says that "Apps cannot use Push Notifications to send advertising, promotions, or direct marketing of any kind."

Dawlat 'still stunned that Apple took the decision to destroy so much value within their own ecosystem' is asking anyone in charge at Apple to contact him in hopes of resolving the situation. Even if he is successful in returning to the App Store, it's a reminder to all iOS developers that Apple can pull the rug out from under you at anytime.

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AppGratis CEO on Apple's Removal of the Company's App from the App Store

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Tiestofan - April 10, 2013 at 3:19pm

They pulled it because its letting people know when a paid app is free. Apple doesn't get anything out of he deal. I get it free today and I can add it to any of my devices for life for free. Apple knows this app is the most popular of its kind and the app is costing apple money. It's pathetic that apple does this sort of thing. They have enough money!

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SB - April 10, 2013 at 2:15am

OK, so they violated a couple of rules but Apple approved it. It's the suddenness of their action which bewilders me. No communication with the app developer to explain the problem prior to pulling it. It's just BAM, gone. No regard for anyone involved. Almost dystopian. It seems to be the way of Apple now.

Dummy - April 9, 2013 at 8:40pm

Apple really is terrible. Google isn't something like that. Google lets what developers want. Be it bad-looking or good-looking interface of the app. They also offer priceless apps compared to Apple Store.

NoGoodNick - April 10, 2013 at 2:32pm

They also allow viruses, apps that grab users data and sell it (Oops, everyone is doing that nowadays). I'm not sure I'd use Google's lack of ANY quality control to argue that Apple doesn't apply common sense. There's a LOT of room between too much control and none whatsoever!

M!Do Space - April 9, 2013 at 8:31pm

I love AppGratis, it's awesome .. I'm so sad for such bad news! :(

DNA64 - April 9, 2013 at 8:30pm

If I had a dollar for every time an app violated Guideline 5.6 I'd be rich :P

Matt - April 10, 2013 at 2:14am

*cough* appshopper *cough*

Matt - April 10, 2013 at 2:15am

Well it's more like 2.25... but still....

Copperhead - April 9, 2013 at 8:30pm

That means that apple has to pull well over 3,000 apps that does the same damn thing..