appgratis.jpgAppGratis CEO Simon Dawlat today issued a statement about the recent removal of the AppGratis iPhone and iPad apps from the App Store, confirming that the apps were pulled for violating App Store guidelines 2.25 and 5.6, which state the following:

Guideline 2.25
Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected.

Guideline 5.6
Apps cannot use Push Notifications to send advertising, promotions, or direct marketing of any kind.

Dawlat explains that the AppGratis app was originally approved by two Apple reviewers, but a third reviewer pulled the app shortly after the release of the iPad version.

Early Monday, R. gave me a follow-up call. He basically couldn't go beyond repeating multiple times that our app had been pulled out due to guideline 2.25 and 5.6.

I asked how he and his team could have possibly changed their minds overnight, pretty much pulling the plug on a 45-person company. He seemed very detached regarding the gravity of the situation, and was unable to let me know on what specifics these decisions had been made.

Dawlat goes on to say that he remains in "absolute shock" about what is happening to AppGratis, but that the service is "far from finished."

AppGratis, he says, still has more than 12 million iOS users, and will continue to deliver new daily deals. Dawlat finishes his lengthy blog post with a plea, asking for readers to share the post and for an Apple executive to get in touch to further discuss the matter.

Top Rated Comments

audio_inside Avatar
159 months ago
Guideline 2.25's restriction on displaying apps "in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store" obviously doesn't apply to AppGratis because, unlike the App Store, AppGratis' search and discovery function does not suck.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Corrode Avatar
159 months ago
AppShopper was banned last year and has yet to return.

Wow, I've been using AppShopper for years and didn't know they pulled it. It's one of the most useful things on my phone. Lame, Apple. Lame.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M-O Avatar
159 months ago
I don't care for AppGratis, but this does make me worry for AppShopper. I consider that a near essential app :)

didn't they already pull the AppShopper app?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tarasis Avatar
159 months ago
I don't care for AppGratis, but this does make me worry for AppShopper. I consider that a near essential app :)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kaibelf Avatar
159 months ago
When they submit to the app store, they agree to a contract and set of guidelines. Who cares if two people at Apple made a mistake, or if they have 45 people in their company? Keep your promises!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DipDog3 Avatar
159 months ago
AppGratis has been hit pretty hard with the Apple Banhammer, they are done.

Obviously someone high up, like Timmy has decided to ban this app. There is no coming back.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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