App Store Stopped 1.6 Million 'Risky' and 'Untrustworthy' Apps From Defrauding Users, Says Apple

The App Store prevented 1.6 million risky and untrustworthy apps from defrauding users in 2021, according to new fraud analysis data shared today by Apple. Apple says that the ‌App Store‌ stopped "nearly $1.5 billion in fraudulent transactions" during the year.

app store fraud prevention
Apple rejected more than 34,000 apps for hidden features, and more than 157,000 that were spam or copycat apps. 343,000 apps were rejected for various privacy violations. Over 800,000 fraudulent developer accounts were terminated.

More than 170 million fraudulent customer accounts were deactivated, and 118 million attempted fraudulent account creations were rejected. 155,000 nefarious apps that attempted to skirt the App Review process by altering functionality or concept after approval were rejected or removed from the ‌App Store‌. 63,500 illegitimate apps on pirate storefronts were blocked by Apple, and more than 3.3 million apps distributed illicitly through the Enterprise Developer Program were blocked.

Apple says that the App Review team helped more than 107,000 developers get their apps on the ‌App Store‌ in 2021, and 835,000 problematic new apps and 805,000 app updates were rejected or removed from the ‌App Store‌ for issues like bugs.

As for ratings and review fraud, Apple detected and blocked more than 94 million reviews and over 170 million ratings for failing to meet moderation standards. 610,000 additional reviews were removed after publication due to customer concern submissions and human evaluation.

Apple stopped over 3.3 million stolen credit and debit cards from being used to make potentially fraudulent purchases, and 600,000 accounts were banned from further ‌App Store‌ transactions.

Apple says that it plans to continue to work to detect fraudulent activity and accounts and prevent financial crimes in order to keep the ‌App Store‌ a "safe and trusted place for users to find and download apps."

Top Rated Comments

RumorUser12 Avatar
24 months ago
I trust apps I download from the App Store way more than I did the Google Play Store when I was on Android. Maybe it’s improved since a couple years ago, but doesn’t matter the App Store has won me over.
Score: 65 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mi7chy Avatar
24 months ago
Has anyone verified this claim? Last time I looked for an app there were so many fakes that I gave up since it wasn't clear which was the real one.

Update: Worse today than it was before. Not only fake apps but banned apps. ES File Explorer was banned ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ES_File_Explorer#:~:text=Around%20May%202016%2C%20ES%20File,criticism%20and%20many%20bad%20reviews.') from Google Play Store in 2019 but ended up on Apple App Store so it's the graveyard of banned Android apps.



Attachment Image
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
_Spinn_ Avatar
24 months ago

I trust apps I download from the App Store way more than I did the Google Play Store when I was on Android. Maybe it’s improved since a couple years ago, but doesn’t matter the App Store has won me over.
Same here. That's why I went with an iPhone.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
icanhazmac Avatar
24 months ago
WOW, over 800,000 fraudulent developer accounts terminated! I guess that is the downside of the $99/yr fee, to scammer scumbags that is a low cost of entry.

Also, almost 350,000 apps rejected for privacy violations... thanks Apple!!! But yes, lets allow alt-stores where privacy declarations won't exist, won't be checked or will hide behind 100 pages of EULA legal-ese.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PhoenixDown Avatar
24 months ago

Also, couldn’t another third party also moderate?
I am sure a third party could for a fee but I don't think it'll happen or protect to the degree apple is.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Menel Avatar
24 months ago
Feels empty and flat when the app store is still plagued with predatory loot boxes and such abounds.

Take this for instance, apparently being allowed by Apple? They lose any moral high ground imo.

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/06/diablo-immortal-impressions-a-good-smartphone-game-saddled-with-f2p-nonsense/
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

reset password request iphone

Warning: Apple Users Targeted in Phishing Attack Involving Rapid Password Reset Requests

Tuesday March 26, 2024 4:34 pm PDT by
Phishing attacks taking advantage of Apple's password reset feature have become increasingly common, according to a report from KrebsOnSecurity. Multiple Apple users have been targeted in an attack that bombards them with an endless stream of notifications or multi-factor authentication (MFA) messages in an attempt to cause panic so they'll respond favorably to social engineering. An...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Purple

iOS 18: What to Expect From 'Biggest' Update in iPhone's History

Wednesday March 27, 2024 11:10 am PDT by
At least some Apple software engineers continue to believe that iOS 18 will be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. "The iOS 18 update is expected to be the most ambitious overhaul of the iPhone's software in its history, according to people working on the upgrade," wrote Gurman, in a r...
maxresdefault

Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May

Thursday March 28, 2024 11:07 am PDT by
Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple is working on updates to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The iPad Pro models will...
maxresdefault

Apple Announces WWDC 2024 Event for June 10 to 14

Tuesday March 26, 2024 10:02 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its 35th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14. As with WWDC events since 2020, WWDC 2024 will be an online event that is open to all developers at no cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. WWDC 2024 will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about new...
apple maps 3d feature

Apple Maps May Gain Custom Routes With iOS 18

Tuesday March 26, 2024 3:10 pm PDT by
Apple may be planning to add support for "custom routes" in Apple Maps in iOS 18, according to code reviewed by MacRumors. Apple Maps does not currently offer a way to input self-selected routes, with Maps users limited to Apple's pre-selected options, but that may change in iOS 18. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file to its maps backend labeled "CustomRouteCreation." While not much is revealed...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

Apple Releases Revised Versions of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 With Updated Build Number

Wednesday March 27, 2024 5:59 am PDT by
Apple on late Tuesday released revised versions of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 with an updated build number of 21E237, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The updates previously had a build number of 21E236. The revised updates are available for all iPhone and iPad models that are compatible with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, but they can only be installed via the Finder app on macOS...
applephilschiller

Apple's Phil Schiller Works 80 Hours a Week Overseeing App Store

Wednesday March 27, 2024 2:03 pm PDT by
With the App Store and app ecosystem undergoing major changes in the European Union, The Wall Street Journal today shared a profile on App Store chief Phil Schiller, who is responsible for the App Store. Though Schiller transitioned from marketing chief to "Apple Fellow" in 2020 to take a step back from Apple and spend more time on personal projects and friends, he is reportedly working...