Tech
Apple Cracks Down on Cal AI App for Violating App Store Rules
AI Summary
Apple recently removed and then reinstated the Cal AI food-logging app from its App Store for violating in-app purchase guidelines and using manipulative tactics. The app had attempted to skirt Apple's rules by using external payments and deceptive billing practices.
The Cal AI App Store Rejection
Apple's recent crackdown on the MyFitnessPal-owned Cal AI food-logging app demonstrates that the tech giant is still enforcing its strict App Store rules around the use of external payments. The calorie-counting app, which was briefly removed from the App Store last week, had attempted to skirt Apple's in-app purchase guidelines and had also employed manipulative tactics, Apple told TechCrunch.Violations of App Store Guidelines
Apple said that the app's brief removal was due to multiple violations of its rules, including bypassing Apple's in-app purchase flow, using deceptive billing design, and other manipulative tactics. The episode shows that Apple is still actively policing how developers implement web payments, even though the Epic ruling had loosened some earlier restrictions.The Data Behind the Decision
- Cal AI had bypassed Apple's in-app purchases by implementing an embedded in-app payment flow using a third-party service (in this case, Stripe) to unlock access to digital goods.
- The app had also been engaged in deceptive billing practices, in violation of Guideline 3.1.2c.
- Cal AI was further dinged for its use of "manipulative tactics," in violation of the Developer Code of Conduct's guideline 5.6.