Apple uses a double standard and does not follow its own App Store rules

Apple is very strict when it comes to approving apps for the App Store, and every developer has to meet the rules. But he himself violates them as it suits him.

Developer Dave DeLong worked for seven long years as a developer at Apple. Now he has accused his former employer of violating the App Store's own rules. Everything applies Apple News app+. Its login screen clearly serves as a demonstration of what other developers cannot afford.

In his DeLong's tweet states:

Hi @apple, your auto-renew page violates rule 3.1.2 and your application should be rejected.
For starters… there are no links to privacy policy or support, no information on how to unsubscribe.

The Verge magazine took the tweet as a stimulus and delved deeper into the issue. The editors found the subscription rules to be particularly strict. They mention all the parameters in detail.

Typically, Apple tries to protect users from recurring fees demanded by developers in several ways. The price must be written in large and legible letters and numbers. There must also be clear information about how often you will pay and, above all, how to cancel the subscription if you are no longer interested.

The Apple News+ subscription page captures some information. You can really see how much the service costs. On the other hand, the price is the fine print. We also find information here that the service can be terminated at any time. It is no longer written how to cancel it. In addition, Apple completely omits the crucial information about how long the trial period actually is.

Apple should be a role model and follow the rules of the App Store themselves

However, The Verge adds in one breath that this is far from the first time that Apple has broken its own rules. For example, developers are prohibited from using notifications unless the user has requested them and thus turned them on.

On the other hand, over the past few months, Apple has already sent all users promos for its services such as Apple Music or the Carpool Karaoke series several times. DeLong concludes by stating that he is surprised that none of the developers have yet sued Apple.

Apple supporters argue that Apple News is a built-in application of the operating system and therefore does not have to comply with any rules. On the other hand, after uninstalling it, you need to download it from the App Store. Moreover, Apple should lead by example by demanding such strict rules.

Source: 9to5Mac