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 App Store Connect Developer Guidelines

LastUpdate:April2011

1. Legal Requirements

1.1 Apps must comply with all legal requirements in any location where they are

made available to users. It is the developer's obligation to understand and

conform to all local laws

1.2 Apps that contain false, fraudulent or misleading representations will be

rejected

1.3 Apps that solicit, promote, or encourage criminal or clearly reckless behaviour 

will be rejected

1.4 Apps that enable illegal file sharing will be rejected1.5 Apps that enable anonymous or prank phone calls or SMS/MMS messaging will

be rejected

1.6 Developers who create apps that secretly attempt to discover user passwords

or other private will be rejected

2. Functionality

 Apps will be rejected if they:

2.1 Crash2.2 Have bugs

2.3 Do not perform as advertised

2.4 Apps that self-update

2.5 Are intended to trick or fake functionality

2.6 Provide false diagnostic or other inaccurate device data

2.7 Are the same version and continually submitted whilst in the submission

process

3. Metadata, ratings and rankings

 Apps will be rejected if they:

3.1 Contain specific mention to carriers or OEMs

3.2 Are misleading in such circumstances, the description does not match the

content or functionality

3.3 Use screenshots that are not appropriate for minors under the age of 5 years

old to view

3.4 Categorised incorrectly e.g. an eBook app is put under the games category

3.5 Attempt to manipulate or cheat the user reviews or chart ranking in the App

Store with fake or paid reviews, or any other inappropriate methods

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 App Store Connect Developer Guidelines

 

4. Location

 Apps will be rejected if they:

4.1 Do not notify and obtain user consent before collecting, transmitting, or using

location data

4.2 Use location-based APIs for automatic or autonomous control of vehicles,

aircraft, or other devices

4.3 Use location-based APIs for dispatch, fleet management, or emergency

services

5. Ads

 Apps will be rejected if they:

5.1 Are designed predominantly for the display of ads

6. Trademarks and trade dress

 Apps will be rejected if they:

6.1 Do not comply with all terms and conditions explained in the Terms &

Conditions document

6.2 Misspell product names or brands6.3 Use protected 3rd party material (trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets,

otherwise proprietary content) without documented rights which are requested

7. Damage to service

 Apps will be rejected if they:

7.1 Encourage users to use a device in a way that may cause damage to the device

7.2 Rapidly drain the device's battery or generate excessive heat

8. Personal attacks

 Apps will be rejected if they:

8.1 Are defamatory, offensive, mean-spirited, or likely to place the targeted

individual or group in harms way

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 App Store Connect Developer Guidelines

 

9. Violence

 Apps will be rejected if they:

9.1 Portray realistic images of people or animals being killed or maimed, shot,

stabbed, tortured or injured

9.2 Depict violence or abuse of children

9.3 Portray "Enemies" within the context of a game as a specific race, culture, a

real government or corporation, or any other real entity

9.4 Encourage illegal or reckless use of such weapons

10. Objectionable content

 Apps will be rejected if they:

10.1 Present excessively objectionable or crude content

10.2 Encourage excessive consumption of alcohol or illegal substances, or 

encourage minors to consume alcohol or smoke cigarettes

10.3 Are primarily designed to upset or disgust users

11. Privacy

 Apps will be rejected if they:

11.1 Transmit data about a user without obtaining the user's prior permission and

providing the user with access to information about how and where the data will

be used

11.2 Require users to share personal information, such as email address and date of 

birth, in order to function

11.3 Target minors for data collection

12. Pornography

 Apps will be rejected if they:

12.1 Contain pornographic material, meaning "explicit descriptions or displays of 

sexual organs or activities intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or 

emotional feelings"

12.2 Contain user generated content that is frequently pornographic

13. Religion, culture & ethnicity

 Apps will be rejected if they:

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 App Store Connect Developer Guidelines

13.1 Contain references or commentary about a religious, cultural or ethnic group

that are defamatory, offensive, mean-spirited or likely to expose the targeted

group to harm or violence

13.2 Contain or quote religious text provided the quotes or translations are accurate

and not misleading. Commentary should be educational or informative rather than inflammatory.

14. Contest, sweepstakes, lotteries, raffles

 Apps will be rejected if they:

14.1 Are sweepstakes and contests based but not sponsored by the

developer/company of the app or legal gambling governing body

14.2 Are lottery based but do not have the following characteristics: consideration,

chance, and a prize