Why is Apple Removing Like Patrol from the App Store?
Case Study: Apple’s Action Against Like Patrol
In recent news, Apple has taken a decisive action by removing the app Like Patrol from the App Store. This removal is not just a response to public outcry or societal norms against stalking behavior, but it is rooted in both stalking concerns and legal compliance with Apple’s stringent policies. Specifically, Like Patrol violated Apple’s privacy and data scraping policies, leading to its ban from the App Store.
Introduction to Like Patrol
Like Patrol first made its appearance in the iOS app store in July 2019. The app quickly gained attention for its stalking features, including algorithms that displayed potential targets' gender and attractiveness levels. This app, dubbed “Insta-Creep” by critics, showcased the invasive potential of social media analysis tools.
Apple's Removal Reason: Legal and Privacy Concerns
Apple's decision to remove Like Patrol from the App Store can be attributed to two primary reasons: stalking concerns and legal compliance.
1. Stalking Concerns:
As stalking is generally frowned upon by society, apps that facilitate such behavior can be problematic. The stalking features in Like Patrol were seen as a violation of privacy and ethical norms. These features allowed users to monitor and track the online activities of others, raising serious ethical and legal questions.
2. Legal and App Store Policy Violations:
From a legal standpoint, Like Patrol violated both privacy regulations and data scraping policies set forth by Apple. Apple has a strict set of guidelines for developers in its app submission process, ensuring that all applications adhere to ethical and legal standards. Like Patrol failed to meet these standards, leading to its removal.
Developer's Cease and Desist Notice
The pressure on Like Patrol did not stop with Apple. The developers of the app received a cease and desist notice from Instagram last week for violating its terms of service. Instagram’s policy explicitly prohibits the scraping of user data, a practice that Like Patrol was significantly guilty of.
Conclusion: The Importance of Adhering to App Store Policies
Bans such as the removal of Like Patrol from the App Store serve as a clear reminder of the importance of adhering to both legal and ethical standards in the development of mobile applications. Developers and app creators must comply with Apple’s policies to ensure that their applications can be legally and ethically distributed through the App Store.