Apple’s app review prevents developer from submitting fix to game for the blind (applevis.com)

Article summary

A blind iOS game developer's update to their accessible Hangman game was rejected by Apple's app review team, citing that the app was similar to other apps on the App Store and considered spam. The developer appealed, explaining that their game was designed for blind users and that the update was a bug fix. After a call with Apple, the issue was resolved, and the update was allowed through. The developer was told that the app icon may have triggered the spam warning.

Main themes

• Apple app review process
• accessibility in apps
• developer trust and reputation
• app security
• usability vs accessibility
• fairness in app review
• developer frustration

What commenters say

• Apple's app review process can be overly restrictive and unfair to developers, especially those creating accessibility-focused apps.
• The review process should be more nuanced and consider the context and purpose of an app, rather than just its features.
• A reputation-based system could help streamline the review process for trusted developers, but it's not a perfect solution.
• Even big companies can't be trusted to follow the rules, and all apps should be reviewed after each update.
• Accessibility does not always mean usability, and apps should be designed with the needs of their target users in mind.
• Apple's security model relies on developer goodwill, which can be insufficient to prevent malicious activity.
• The current review process can be frustrating for developers, but it's intended to protect users from spam and malicious apps.