Top 10 most ridiculous Apple App Store submission rules

 

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Posted on 17 Sep 2010 at 16:07

Last week Apple finally released its App submission guidelines (you can download the full PDF from the AppleInsider), listing all the things that would get your app rejected from the iTunes App Store. Apple's iron rule over its store has been well documented, and while a lot of the guidelines were common sense, a few stood out to us as downright totalitarian. Below are a selection of our favorites, as well as why we think they're just a bit mental.

1. Apps that are primarily designed to upset or disgust users will be rejected

This rule massively contradicts the (literally) hundreds of questionable apps available on iTunes right now, unless everyone at Cupertino actually finds fart apps hilarious.

2/ Apps that are not very useful or do not provide any lasting entertainment value may be rejected

Surely there's only so many people you can use a fake X-ray app on before it's no longer "lasting entertainment"? And yet there are plenty of almost identical apps in the store. Or maybe the iCrowd is just that little bit more gullible than we give them credit for.

3. Apps with metadata that mentions the name of any other mobile platform will be rejected

Anyone that's gone to the effort of making their app multi-platform understandably wants to share it with the world. Just don't list support for other devices on the App Store, as Apple refuses to recognise that other mobile operating systems exist. God help you if you mention Android support, apparently.

4. Apps that misspell Apple product names in their app name (i.e., GPS for Iphone, iTunz) will be rejected

Apple is so serious about its branding that a simple spelling error could result in your app being rejected. Either that, or Steve Jobs really hates L33t Sp34k.

5. Apps that contain user generated content that is frequently pornographic (excluding "Chat Roulette" apps) will be rejected

Depending on your point of view, you'll either be thankful or disappointed that this is one use for FaceTime we can rule out right now.