Apple’s Removal of Apps on Government Requests: Insights from 2022
In 2022, Apple complied with government requests to take down a total of 1,474 apps from its App Store. Among these removals, a significant 1,435 apps originated from mainland China, with a mere 14 apps stemming from India.
Global Requests and Appeals
The ‘2022 App Store Transparency Report’ reveals that various governments worldwide submitted takedown requests, with Pakistan requesting the removal of 10 apps and Russia seeking the elimination of seven apps for violating local laws. In response to these removals, there were a total of 18,412 appeals from agencies globally, with China leading at 5,484 appeals. Notably, India accounted for 709 appeals. Apple granted appeals for 24 apps in India following removal requests.
App Submissions and Removals
With a staggering 1,783,232 apps available on the App Store as of 2022, Apple meticulously reviewed 6,101,913 app submissions. However, 1,679,694 apps were rejected for violating App Store policies. Nevertheless, 253,466 submissions were approved after initial rejection. Despite the approval process, a total of 186,195 apps were eventually removed from the App Store in 2022.
Developer Landscape and Account Terminations
The report sheds light on the developer ecosystem, indicating that there were 36,974,015 registered Apple developers on the App Store. However, Apple took action against policy violators by terminating 428,487 developer accounts in 2022.
Apple’s Commitment to App Store Integrity
Apple emphasizes the App Store’s role as a safe and trusted platform for app discovery and download since its inception in 2008. The company’s transparency report underscores its commitment to maintaining the integrity and security of the platform.
Preventing Fraudulent Transactions
In a separate announcement, Apple disclosed that the App Store thwarted over $2.09 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions in 2022. This proactive approach involved blocking nearly 3.9 million stolen credit cards from being used for purchases and banning 714,000 accounts from conducting transactions in the future.
In conclusion, Apple’s efforts to uphold App Store policies, comply with government requests, and combat fraudulent activities underscore its dedication to fostering a secure and trustworthy app ecosystem for users and developers alike.
