View source for IOS app approvals

{{lowercase title}}
Submissions for [[Mobile app|mobile app]]s for [[Software:IOS|iOS]] are subject to approval by [[Company:Apple Inc.|Apple]]'s '''App Review''' team, as outlined in the [[Software:IOS SDK|SDK]] agreement, for basic reliability testing and other analysis, before being published on the [[Software:App Store (iOS)|App Store]]. Applications may still be distributed ad hoc if they are rejected, by the author manually submitting a request to Apple to license the application to individual [[Engineering:IPhone|iPhone]]s,<ref>{{cite web|last=Sande |first=Steven |url=http://www.tuaw.com/2008/09/15/podcaster-app-distributed-via-ad-hoc-after-apple-rejection/ |title=Podcaster app distributed via Ad Hoc after Apple rejection |publisher=Tuaw.com |date=2008-09-15 |access-date=2009-12-02}}</ref> although Apple may withdraw the ability for authors to do this at a later date.<ref>{{cite web|last=Palmer |first=Robert |url=http://www.tuaw.com/2008/09/23/podcaster-dev-cant-provision-any-more-licenses/ |title=Podcaster dev can't provision any more licenses |publisher=Tuaw.com |date=2008-09-23 |access-date=2009-12-02}}</ref>

[[Social:Non-disclosure agreement|Non-disclosure agreement]]s have always forbidden developers from publishing the content of their rejection notices, but Apple has now started labeling their rejection letters with an explicit non-disclosure warning.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.macrumors.com/2008/09/23/apple-extends-non-disclosure-to-app-store-rejection-letters/ |title=Apple Extends Non-Disclosure to App Store Rejection Letters |publisher=Mac Rumors |date=2008-09-23 |access-date=2009-12-02| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100116132708/http://www.macrumors.com/2008/09/23/apple-extends-non-disclosure-to-app-store-rejection-letters/| archive-date= 16 January 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status= live}}</ref> Apple later changed the NDA{{how|date=September 2012}} citing that "it has created too much of a burden on developers"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/01/apple-drops-iphone-non-disclosure-agreement-nda/ |title=Apple Drops iPhone Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) |publisher=Mac Rumors |date=2008-10-01 |access-date=2009-12-02}}</ref> but they did not reverse the decision to forbid publication of rejection notices.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hansell |first=Saul |url=http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/a-slice-of-glasnost-at-apple/ |title=A Slice of Glasnost at Apple - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com |publisher=Bits.blogs.nytimes.com |date=2008-10-01 |access-date=2009-12-02}}</ref> Some applications are not available outside region specific App Stores at the request of the developer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forums.eye.fi/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=829 |title=Eye-Fi Forums • View topic - Outside US |publisher=Forums.eye.fi |access-date=2009-12-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315073756/http://forums.eye.fi/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=829 |archive-date=2009-03-15 }}</ref>

In addition, Apple has removed software licensed under the [[Software:GNU General Public License|GNU General Public License]] (GPL) from the App Store after complaints from one of the program's developers (the [[Software:VLC media player|VLC media player]]), claiming that the App Store's [[Terms of service|terms of service]] are inconsistent with the GPL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2375476,00.asp |title=Apple Pulls VLC Player from App Store Due to GPL |author=David Murphy |date=8 January 2011 |work=PCMag.com |publisher=PC Magazine |access-date=8 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111002309/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0%2C2817%2C2375476%2C00.asp |archive-date=11 January 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Functional restrictions ==

Applicants have been denied apps for fundamentally duplicating Apple apps, for example by providing an email interface with no added functionality or use,<ref>{{cite web|last=Palmer |first=Robert |url=http://www.tuaw.com/2008/09/22/apple-rejects-another-app-for-duplicating-functionality/ |title=Apple rejects another app for duplicating functionality |publisher=Tuaw.com |date=2008-09-22 |access-date=2009-12-02}}</ref> or having the same elements as the built in SMS app.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.syncode.com.au/2009/07/21/itweetreply-1-1-rejected/ |title=Syncode - Blog – iTweetReply 1.1 Rejected |publisher=Blog.syncode.com.au |access-date=2009-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025212558/http://blog.syncode.com.au/2009/07/21/itweetreply-1-1-rejected/ |archive-date=25 October 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Applications have also been rejected for duplicating the functionality of [[Software:ITunes|iTunes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://almerica.blogspot.com/2008/09/podcaster-rejeceted-because-it.html |title=Almerica's Blog About Technology and Other Interesting Stuff: Podcaster rejeceted because it duplicates iTunes functionality |publisher=Almerica.blogspot.com |date=2008-09-11 |access-date=2009-12-02| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091115133413/http://almerica.blogspot.com/2008/09/podcaster-rejeceted-because-it.html| archive-date= 15 November 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status= live}}</ref> Applications may be rejected if they are of only "limited utility".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/09/04/apple-rejecting-applications-based-on-limited-utility/ |title=MacRumors iPhone Blog: Apple Rejecting Apps Based on 'Limited Utility' |publisher=Macrumors.com |date=2008-09-04 |access-date=2009-12-02| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091115133412/http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/09/04/apple-rejecting-applications-based-on-limited-utility/| archive-date= 15 November 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status= live}}</ref> Some reports indicate that toolbars must be placed at the bottom of the screen, and the vibration function should only be used for alerts.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sadun |first=Erica |url=http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/08/dear-auntie-tuaw-appstore-rejection/ |title=Dear Auntie TUAW: AppStore Rejection |publisher=Tuaw.com |date=2008-08-08 |access-date=2009-12-02| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091205155918/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/08/dear-auntie-tuaw-appstore-rejection/| archive-date= 5 December 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status= live}}</ref>

==Approval process==

Launched in July 2008, the App Store averaged about $1 million in application sales a day in its first month of existence.<ref>{{cite web|title=AppStore|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/134960/2008/08/appstore.html}}</ref> To get applications into the App Store, developers were required to submit their app and wait for approval or rejection by Apple. Rejected apps were given feedback on the reason they were rejected so they could be modified and resubmitted.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thoughts on the iPhone App Review Process|url=http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/07/thoughts-on-the-iphone-app-store-review-process/}}</ref>

The approval process for Apple App Store has changed over time in terms of its feedback to developers and the time delay for apps to be approved.  In the year July 2009, the application could take weeks. Apple streamlined the process at the end of 2009, and some apps were processed in a few days.<ref>{{cite web|title=Apple's New Years Resolution|url=http://www.tuaw.com/2010/01/09/apples-new-years-resolution-get-apps-through-approval-faster/}}</ref>  In addition, in December 2009, the App Store began providing detailed feedback to developers on the approval process rather than simply showing "Waiting for Approval" and "Approved" or "Rejected".

Over time, requirements have evolved as trends have appeared in application development.  For example, applications accessing the user's location for advertising were valid prior to the fall of 2009.  After this point, apps were rejected that did not provide more robust user experience beyond simply using location data for advertising.  Other requirements, such as using undocumented [[API]]s, have always led to rejection.

In 2010, the iPad app approval process could have been lengthy, similar to the weeks experienced previously for iPhone applications. In June 2010, [[Biography:Steve Jobs|Steve Jobs]] at WWDC 2010 said 95% of apps were processed within 7 business days.<ref>[http://allthingsd.com/20100607/wwdc-2010-steve-jobs-on-the-app-store/ WWDC 2010 Steve Jobs on the App Store].</ref> According to Apple's developer portal as of 3 July 2014, 98% of new and updated apps were processed within 5 business days.<ref>[https://developer.apple.com/appstore/resources/approval/index.html App Store Approval Process]. Retrieved 17 July 2014.</ref>

==Review guidelines==

On September 9, 2010, Apple published official App Store Review Guidelines for developers.<ref name="developer.apple.com">[https://developer.apple.com/appstore/guidelines.html App Store Review Guidelines – App Store Resource Center<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>  At this time several development restrictions were lifted and many developers of previously rejected applications were asked to resubmit their applications under the new guidelines.  The App Review Guideline Document is a living document that Apple can change at any time. Essentially the guidelines are put in place to prevent problems with pornography, violence, legal issues, user experience, and other more specific guidelines in apps. Apple checks each app against these guidelines before approving it for sale and inclusion on the App Store.

Apps that get featured will get promoted by Apple within the App Store, typically within a specific app category. There are no specific guidelines for getting an app featured,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mobileappdaily.com/submit-app-on-app-store|title=How to Put an App on the App Store: A Step-By-Step Guide}}</ref> but in some notable cases, app developers that gather feedback directly from Apple before releasing their app have indicated that this improves chances of getting featured.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.internetretailer.com/2014/03/24/how-threadless-sewed-top-spot-apples-app-store|title = Retail Ecommerce Research & News – Digital Commerce 360}}</ref>

==Notable rejected apps==

=== Newspaper and magazine content ===
In May 2009, Apple rejected the first version of 'Newspapers', an [[Engineering:IPhone|iPhone]] app that let users read content from 50+ newspapers around the world, including the ''{{wipe|New York Times}}'', {{wipe|France}}'s ''Le Monde'', and the {{wipe|United Kingdom}} tabloid ''[[Social:The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]''. The app was rejected because the topless "[[Social:Page 3|Page 3]]" girls daily features were described as "obscene". A second version of the application was submitted, removing access to ''The Sun'', and adding a price tag of [[Finance:Pound sterling|£]]0.59. The app was made available in the summer, after the release of the [[Software:IOS|iPhone OS]] 3.0 software.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/pda/2009/may/06/sun-newsinternational |title=The Sun's 'obscene' Page 3 girls get iPhone newspaper app banned by Apple |newspaper=Guardian |date=2009-05-06 |access-date=2009-12-02 | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sherwood |first=James |url=http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/05/05/the_sun_app_ban/ |title=Apple bans Page 3 from iPhone app |publisher=Reghardware.co.uk |date=2009-05-05 |access-date=2009-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126013657/http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/05/05/the_sun_app_ban/ |archive-date=2009-11-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Another application, of similar nature to 'Newspapers', called 'Eucalyptus' allowed users to download e-books to their iPhone, though was rejected by Apple because one of the e-books that could have been downloaded was the ''[[Religion:Kama Sutra|Kama Sutra]]''. The ban has since been lifted.<ref>{{cite news|author=Logged in as click here to log out |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2009/may/24/iphone-ban-eucalyptus |title=Apple backtracks over ban on ebook application Eucalyptus &#124; Technology &#124; guardian.co.uk |newspaper=Guardian |access-date=2009-12-02 | location=London | date=2009-05-24}}</ref>

{{quotation|We do believe we have a moral responsibility to keep porn off the iPhone ... Folks who want porn can buy an [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]] phone|[[Biography:Steve Jobs|Steve Jobs]]<ref name="Schofield" />}}
{{quotation|We can't adapt European magazines to the standards of Utah.|Mathias Müller von Blumencron (editor of ''Der Spiegel'', warning that the news magazine would not alter its content for the App Store)<ref name=pfanner/>}}

The App Store has ''Playboy'' and ''Sports Illustrated'' adult-rated apps <!-- App Store descriptions of apps Playboy version 1.0.22, Playboy Poker Version 1.0, SI Swimsuit 2010 Version 1.2 and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Challenge Version 3.0  include "You must be at least 17 years old to download this application" --> that have yet to be removed, while some apps by others were removed citing adult content which has resulted in accusations of hypocrisy.  Despite this, adult sites continue to market for iPhone and iPad users.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/02/23/apple-iphone-pornography-ban/ |title=Apple, There's Pornography On My iPhone. The App Is Called Safari. You Made It. |author=MG Siegler |date=Feb 23, 2010 |work=TechCrunch |access-date=30 May 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100527012145/http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/23/apple-iphone-pornography-ban/| archive-date= 27 May 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/02/20/app-store-rules-sexy/ |title=The New App Store Rules: No Swimsuits, No Skin, And No Innuendo |first= Jason |last=Kincaid  |date=Feb 20, 2010 |work=TechCrunch |access-date=30 May 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100526230444/http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/20/app-store-rules-sexy/| archive-date= 26 May 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://prismcomics.org/display.php?id=1858 |title=iPad Publishing No Savior for Small Press, LGBT Comics Creators |author=Charles "Zan" Christensen |date=May 24, 2010 |work=Prism Comics |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529161653/http://prismcomics.org/display.php?id=1858 |archive-date=29 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In November 2009, the application of ''Stern'' (a mainstream German weekly magazine with a print circulation of about 900,000) was deleted for several weeks without warning.<ref name=pfanner>{{cite news|last=Pfanner |first=Eric |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/technology/15cache.html |title=Publishers Question Apple's Rejection of Nudity |newspaper=NYTimes.com |date=2010-03-14 |access-date=2010-04-15| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100330224732/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/technology/15cache.html| archive-date= 30 March 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Goebel |first=Markus |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/03/29/europes-biggest-publisher-embraces-the-wepad/ |title=Europe's biggest publisher embraces the WePad |publisher=Techcrunch |date=2010-03-29 |access-date=2010-04-15| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100414011954/http://eu.techcrunch.com/2010/03/29/europes-biggest-publisher-embraces-the-wepad/| archive-date= 14 April 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status= live}}</ref> In January 2010, Europe's largest newspaper, German tabloid Bild, removed content from the iPhone version of its print edition at the request of Apple, and later it had to modify one of its applications – like in the ''Stern'' case because of nudity.<ref name=bunz>Mercedes Bunz: [https://www.theguardian.com/media/pda/2010/mar/09/bild-iphone-app German publisher in row with Apple over pin-ups in iPhone app] {{wipe|The Guardian}}, 9 March 2010</ref> The Association of German Magazine Publishers (VDZ) warned that with such interventions Apple might be moving towards censorship.<ref name=bunz/>

''{{wipe|The Guardian}}'' described rejection of explicit content by Apple as analogous to that of the distributor WHSmith, a main distributor which for many years imposed content restrictions on British publishers.  Workers at the fashion magazine ''Dazed & Confused'' have nicknamed their iPad edition the "[[Religion:Iran|Iran]] edition".<ref name="Schofield">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/may/10/ipad-apple|title=Wikipedia's porn purge, and cleaning up for the iPad|author=Jack Schofield|date=2010-05-10|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

=== Pulitzer Prize–winning cartoons ===
In December 2009, Apple banned a cartoon app called NewsToons by cartoonist Mark Fiore, on the grounds that it "ridiculed public figures."<ref name=pulitzer>{{cite magazine
  |author = Paul, Ian
  | title = Apple Rejects Pulitzer Prize Winner's App
  | magazine = PC World
  | date = 2010-04-16
  | url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/194387/apple_rejects_pulitzer_prize_winners_app.html
  | access-date = 2010-04-17
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100418015524/http://www.pcworld.com/article/194387/apple_rejects_pulitzer_prize_winners_app.html| archive-date= 18 April 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=resubmit/> In April 2010, Fiore won the Pulitzer prize for his political satire cartoons, making history as the very first internet-only cartoonist to win the prestigious journalistic prize.<ref name=pulitzer/><ref name=resubmit/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://apple.slashdot.org/story/10/04/15/2059238/Apple-Blocks-Cartoonist-From-App-Store |title=Slashdot Apple Story &#124; Apple Blocks Cartoonist From App Store |date=15 April 2010 |publisher=[[Social:Slashdot|Slashdot]] |access-date=2010-04-15}}</ref> Following public outcry after the story broke in the wake of the award, Apple asked Fiore to resubmit his app, and it was subsequently accepted.  Fiore said, "Sure, mine might get approved, but what about someone who hasn’t won a Pulitzer and who is maybe making a better political app than mine?  Do you need some media frenzy to get an app approved that has political material?"<ref name=resubmit>{{cite news
  |author = Stelter, Brian
  | title = A Pulitzer Winner Gets Apple's Reconsideration
  | newspaper = New York Times
  | date = 2010-04-16
  | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/books/17cartoonist.html
  | access-date = 2010-04-17
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100417101820/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/books/17cartoonist.html| archive-date= 17 April 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status= live}}</ref>

===''Baby Shaker''===
In April 2009, a game called ''Baby Shaker'' was approved for the App Store then later removed due to complaints. The game allowed the user to shake their phone in order to quiet a crying cartoon baby onscreen.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8015876.stm |title=Baby Shaker Game Causes Outrage &#124; BBC |work=BBC News |date=2009-04-24 |access-date=2009-12-02}}</ref>  The app was criticized for making light of [[Medicine:Shaken baby syndrome|shaken baby syndrome]], a condition where shaking a baby results in severe brain injury.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/30354894/ns/technology_and_science-wireless/t/baby-shaker-app-pulled-iphone-store/#.VatWNYu9akg |title='Baby Shaker' app pulled from iPhone store |last=Choney |first=Suzanne |publisher=NBC |date=22 April 2009 |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref>

===Nine Inch Nails===
In May 2009, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails announced, via his [[Company:Twitter|Twitter]] account, that Apple had rejected an update to the Nine Inch Nails application due to "objectionable content".<ref>{{cite web|author=trent_reznor|url=https://twitter.com/trent_reznor|title=Trent Reznor (trent_reznor) on Twitter|publisher=Twitter.com|access-date=December 2, 2009}}</ref> The developer posted a message on the Nine Inch Nails discussion boards explaining the situation further:
<blockquote>v1.0 is live. v1.0.3 got rejected due to content yet the app has no content in it. This was mainly a stability release to fix the bug that crashes the app for international users. The bug was fixed 24 hours after 1.0 went live and we have been waiting for Apple to approve it ever since. Meanwhile the app continues to get a growing number of 1 star ratings from international users understandably frustrated by the bug, "but looks like our hands are tied".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forum.nin.com/bb/read.php?9,651569,651866#msg-651866|title=NIN iPhone app rejection|publisher=Forum.nin.com|access-date=December 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507182214/http://forum.nin.com/bb/read.php?9%2C651569%2C651866#msg-651866|archive-date=May 7, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref></blockquote>
Apple later permitted the update.<ref>[https://coreoptimizers.com/iphone-app-development IOS application development services]</ref>

===iPhone eBook===
In December 2009, Ted Lando's eBook app "Take Control of iPhone OS 3" was rejected by Apple. The app was not permitted back into the App Store until all references to jailbreaking were removed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/rejected_by_apple |title=Rejected By Apple |publisher=Mac Observer |access-date=June 16, 2016}}</ref>

===Drone Strike Alert===
In August 2012, Josh Begley created a drone strike iPhone app that sent out a [[Engineering:Push technology|push notification]] whenever a US military drone aircraft struck a target. The app was rejected, Apple finding the content "objectionable and crude".<ref name="drone app refusal 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/27914/apple-bans-drone-strike-app|title=Apple bans 'drone strike' app|date=31 August 2012|publisher=Infosecurity Magazine|access-date=November 5, 2012}}</ref>

===HKmap.live===
In September 2019, an anonymous developer submitted an app called [[Software:HKmap.live|HKmap.live]] to App Store, which is tracking police vehicles, armed officers and incidents in which people have been injured during 2019–20 Hong Kong protests. But Apple had rejected the app, and reversed its decision on October 4. ''People's Daily'', the official media in China, has criticized Apple's action. On October 9, Apple announced that the app was removed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3032081/apple-draws-fire-china-selling-app-maps-police-activity-hong-kong|title=Apple under fire from China over HKmap.live app that tracks police activity amid Hong Kong protests|publisher=South China Morning Post|date=9 October 2019 |access-date=10 October 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/09/technology/apple-hong-kong-app.html|title=Apple Removes App That Tracked Hong Kong Police|work=The New York Times|date=9 October 2019 |access-date=10 October 2019 }}</ref>
===''I Am Rich''===
{{Main article|Software:I Am Rich}}
''I Am Rich'' was a 2008 iOS application developed by Armin Heinrich. When launched, the screen contained only a glowing red gem and an icon that, when pressed, displayed the following [[Philosophy:Mantra|mantra]] in large text:
{{quote|text=I am rich<br />I {{sic|deserv}} it<!-- It seriously says this. Don't change it. --><br />I am good,<br />healthy & successful<!-- DO NOT REMOVE THIS TEXT-->}}
The application is described as "a work of art with no hidden function at all", with its only purpose being to show other people that they were able to afford it; ''I Am Rich'' was sold on the App Store for {{US$|999.99|2008}}, {{€|799.99}} (equivalent to €934.74 in 2021), and {{GBP|599.99|2008}}, the highest price Apple allowed for App Store content for the time.

== Security ==
All iOS App Store applications must support [[Sandbox (computer security)|sandbox]]ing and list all permissions required for the correct functionality.<ref>Jannie Zaaiman, Louise Leenan ''Iccws 2015 - The Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security'', Academic Conferences Limited, 2015, pp. 160</ref>
During the review process, each application is manually tested, and static analysis is run on its binary code.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/2047567/how-apple-is-improving-mobile-app-security.html|title = How Apple is improving mobile app security}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.avira.com/ios-mobile-security/|title = How does iOS Mobile Security work and why do I need it?|date = 4 August 2014}}</ref>

In 2013, a test [[Malware|malware]] application, that was using dynamic code reassembly techniques and named "Jekyll" in reference to the Stevenson novella,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/081913-jekyll-test-attack-sneaks-through-272947.html |title="Jekyll" test attack sneaks through Apple App Store, wreaks havoc on iOS - Network World |access-date=2014-01-02 |archive-date=2014-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102195850/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/081913-jekyll-test-attack-sneaks-through-272947.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> was approved and released on the App Store. Apple claimed that unspecified changes were made to iOS in response to the attack.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/aug/19/ios-malware-apple-iphone-ipad-jekyll|title=IOS malware can sneak through Apple's approval process, researchers show|website=TheGuardian.com|date=19 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.technologyreview.com/news/518096/remotely-assembled-malware-blows-past-apples-screening-process/ |title=Remotely Assembled Malware Blows Past Apple's Screening Process &#124; MIT Technology Review |access-date=2014-01-02 |archive-date=2014-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102195834/http://www.technologyreview.com/news/518096/remotely-assembled-malware-blows-past-apples-screening-process/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In September 2015, infected programs were published for public download on the App Store. The malicious code had been embedded into Chinese legitimate software through a modified version of [[Software:Xcode|Xcode]] (see [[XcodeGhost]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/2015/09/novel-malware-xcodeghost-modifies-xcode-infects-apple-ios-apps-and-hits-app-store/|title = Novel Malware XcodeGhost Modifies Xcode, Infects Apple iOS Apps and Hits App Store|date = 17 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/09/21/xcodeghost_apple_ios_store_malware_zapped/|title = Apple cleans up iOS App Store after first big malware attack|website = The Register}}</ref> Some of the bigger applications that had the code were ''[[Software:Angry Birds 2|Angry Birds 2]]'', CamCard, TinyDeal.com, among others.<ref>{{cite web|title = Security firm publishes list of some of the iOS apps infected by XcodeGhost – including Angry Birds 2|url = https://9to5mac.com/2015/09/21/xcodeghost-infected-apps/|website = 9to5Mac|access-date = 2015-09-21|first = Ben|last = Lovejoy|date = 21 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = 85 legitimate iPhone apps that were infected with malware in the big App Store hack|url = https://www.yahoo.com/tech/s/85-legitimate-iphone-apps-were-infected-malware-big-131850805.html|website = www.yahoo.com| date=21 September 2015 |access-date = 2015-09-21}}</ref> Apple confirmed the attack and stated to be working with the developers to make sure they were using the proper version of Xcode to rebuild the apps.<ref>{{cite news |title=UPDATE 3-Apple cleaning up iOS App Store after first major attack |website={{wipe|Reuters}} |date=21 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522225203/https://www.reuters.com/article/apple-china-malware-idUSL1N11Q0LT20150921 |archive-date=2023-05-22 |url-status=live |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/apple-china-malware-idUSL1N11Q0LT20150921}}</ref>

In October 2015, Apple also confirmed having removed applications from the App Store due to the privacy concerns. They commented that applications could be used to compromise [[Transport Layer Security|SSL/TLS]] security solutions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT205347|title = How to delete an app that has a configuration profile on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch| date=15 February 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/10/09/apple_borks_adblocking_app_over_privacy_concerns/|title=Apple borks Apple News ad-blocking app due to 'privacy concerns'|website=The Register}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Apple Inc.}}

[[Category:Online content distribution]]

{{Sourceattribution|IOS app approvals}}