Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s Removal Of AppGratis Could Signal More Removals

Updated on

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) could be planning to remove more apps from the App Store in the wake of its removal of AppGratis, according to All Things D. The online publication cites a source who said Apple’s decision to remove AppGratis from its app store was just the first step in the company’s greater enforcement plans.

Apple Inc. (AAPL)'s Removal Of AppGratis Could Signal More Removals

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) said it decided to pull the app because it violated two of the guidelines it has set forth for its App Store. One is that apps may not promote apps made by other developers, the other guideline is that apps may not use push notifications for marketing.

Of course there are plenty of other apps that violate one or both of these same two guidelines, and All Things D’s source said those apps will be removed as well. The source also said that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) believes apps that violate the rules pose a threat to the App Store charts and their legitimacy because they enable developers to potentially pay for a higher spot in the charts by simply advertising more on other apps.

Also Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is reportedly concerned that its App Store’s integrity is undermined by these types of apps because, as All Things D said, it’s like “walking into Nordstrom and seeing a Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) inside.”

So while Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s enforcement of its App Store guidelines, the removal of AppGratis is a bit confusing for some. But that could all change if the company begins enforcing its rules more consistently, resulting in more apps likely to be banned in the near future. And if Apple really wants to keep control over its store, then it must enforce its rules consistently, with no company (not even big ones like Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) being allowed to slip through the cracks.

Leave a Comment