Apple Place Measures To Stop App Store Scammers

Ever downloaded a scam app from the App Store? Read here and find out how Apple are changing the rules.

Have you ever bought an App with promising screenshots, later to find it’s a crappy app which looks nothing like what you purchased? If not, here is an example.

The above link takes you to an app which is $13.00 and looks pretty amazing according to the screenshots. Well it’s not. There are loads of apps like these and are normally really badly coded apps which look terrible.

Don’t apple moderate these apps?

Yes, they do! But when they are submitted they have the proper in-game screenshots and as long as they don’t break Apple’s App Store guidelines, will be allowed into the App Store. So Apple have done their part.

But after approval, the developer can change the screenshots. This is where the bad deed is done. Once approved the developer will change the screenshots to some photoshopped screenshots, which make the game look like it’s worth the super-high price tag. They trick the system, and get away with your money in the process.

Apple has now decided to revise this system a little bit. Developers will no longer be able to change the screenshot unless they first submit an update. Therefore Apple have to moderate the update and therefore the new screenshots. But more importantly the developer cannot change them back to false screenshots.

This is why App Store moderation is important, so the user doesn’t lose out. It’s nice to see Apple are battling people tricking the system. So over the next few weeks/months these apps should become non-existent.

But, as a precaution always read the review of an app. People before you will have purchased this, and if they are scammed they will also be pissed. Most people in this case will write a review, so check! There are measures you can take yourself.