Apple Says Only Reputable Coronavirus Apps Will Be Accepted on App Store, Expediting Approval Process

Apple today announced that it is evaluating COVID-19 coronavirus-related apps critically to ensure data sources are reputable and that developers presenting these apps are from recognized entities such as government organizations, health-focused NGOs, companies deeply credentialed in health issues, and medical or educational institutions.

Apple says only developers from one of the above types of recognized entities should submit an app related to COVID-19, adding that entertainment or game apps with a COVID-19 theme will not be allowed on the App Store.

appstore
Apple adds that recognized entities can request an expedited review of COVID-19 apps here.

Apple also gave a reminder that nonprofit organizations, accredited educational institutions, and government entities that plan to distribute only free apps on the App Store related to COVID-19 can request to have their $99 annual membership fee for the Apple Developer Program waived, if based in an eligible country.

The full announcement:

The App Store should always be a safe and trusted place for users to download apps. Now more than ever that commitment takes on special significance as the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities around the world are depending on apps to be credible news sources — helping users understand the latest health innovations, find out where they can get help if needed or provide assistance to their neighbors.

To help fulfill these expectations, we're evaluating apps critically to ensure data sources are reputable and that developers presenting these apps are from recognized entities such as government organizations, health-focused NGOs, companies deeply credentialed in health issues, and medical or educational institutions. Only developers from one of these recognized entities should submit an app related to COVID-19. Entertainment or game apps with COVID-19 as their theme will not be allowed.

We understand the need to get these apps into the hands of customers as soon as possible. We encourage developers that meet this criteria to select "Time-Sensitive Event" on the expedite request form to ensure prioritized review since App Store review may take longer.

If you are developing an app on behalf of a client, please advise your client to add you to the development team of their Apple Developer account. If your client does not yet have an Apple Developer account, they can enroll in the Apple Developer Program. Nonprofit organizations, accredited educational institutions, and government entities that plan to distribute only free apps on the App Store can request to have their annual membership fee waived, if based in an eligible country.

This is one of many measures that Apple is taking in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Top Rated Comments

max2 Avatar
46 months ago
Good keep it this way!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
46 months ago
Don't think a government sponsored app is going to help much... Take a look at the official CDC covid tips video on YouTube. It starts out pretty good (keep hands away from face) but then digresses to the absurd when recommending food to hoard.
I kid you not- recommended food items to stock up on was a 5 lbs bag of sugar and chocolate bars.
I couldn't bear it any longer and quit the app
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Piggie Avatar
46 months ago
Who is reputable enough to decide who is reputable.
And just because someone things someone is reputable, does that have anything to do with whether they are correct or not?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
46 months ago
So they aren’t going to let the guy from the other thread who has a “direct family member who worked with Fauci in the 1990’s” submit an app?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
46 months ago

I think on average people are smart enough to determine what is a good source of information.
The existence of certain news networks and popularity of certain conspiracy-based “news” programs says you’re wrong.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
w5jck Avatar
46 months ago

Exactly. People applaud this without any consideration to who is in charge of deciding reputability.
Well considering they laid out a fairly detailed description of which entities are allowed to post such apps, even a monkey could probably do a decent job of denying permissions to 99% of the ineligible applications. At least Apple thought this through, whereas you guys don’t seem to be doing that. I think they have a pretty good plan in place, considering the human factor...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Apple WWDC23 macOS Sonoma hero

macOS Sonoma Launching This Week With These New Features

Sunday September 24, 2023 12:45 pm PDT by
Apple previously announced that macOS Sonoma will be released this Tuesday, September 26. The free software update includes many new features and changes for the Mac, including the five that we have highlighted below. In addition to these five features, we have shared the full release notes for macOS Sonoma below for a complete overview of everything new. Desktop Widgets macOS Sonoma...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...