Apple’s App Store team prevented over $2 billion in transactions flagged as potentially fraudulent and blocked nearly 1.7 million app submissions due to privacy, security, and content policy violations in 2022.
As part of its continuous efforts to combat account fraud, the company also
- terminated 428,000 developer accounts for potential fraudulent behavior,
- deactivated 282 million fraudulent customer accounts, and
- thwarted 105 million attempts to create developer accounts suspected of fraud.
Finding out what’s blocked?
The App Store team shielded Apple users from hundreds of thousands of unsafe apps last year, rejecting approximately 400,000 apps for privacy infringements, such as attempting to collect users’ data without their consent or knowledge.
Another 153,000 apps were denied for deceiving users or imitating existing apps, while approximately 29,000 apps were barred from entering the App Store for utilizing undocumented or concealed functionalities.
“During this year, App Review identified instances where apps employed malicious code that could potentially steal users’ credentials from third-party services. Additionally, the team uncovered several apps disguised as harmless financial management platforms but capable of transforming into different apps,” Apple stated.
“Nearly 24,000 apps were either blocked or removed from the App Store due to bait-and-switch violations like these in 2022.”
Apple further added that the App Store App Review team assesses an average of over 100,000 app submissions weekly, with about 90% of them reviewed within 24 hours.
What does this decision cover?
Apple has covered all the aspects intelligently while keeping many things aligned. Let’s find out.
Account frauds
In 2022, Apple safeguarded users from approximately 57,000 unreliable apps originating from unauthorized marketplaces that lack the same inherent privacy and security safeguards as the App Store. These unsanctioned platforms disseminate malicious software that can mimic popular apps or modify them without the consent of their developers.
Source: Apple Newsroom
- Apple thwarted nearly 3.9 million endeavors to install or launch apps distributed unlawfully through the Developer Enterprise Program, which permits large organizations to deploy internal apps for their employees’ use.
- Apple also took measures against fraudulent customer accounts and disabled more than 282 million accounts associated with fraudulent and abusive behavior in 2022.
- One hundred ninety-eight million fraudulent attempts to create new accounts were obstructed before being established.
App review
During 2022, the App Store declined close to 1.7 million app submissions due to various issues, including fraud and privacy concerns. On multiple occasions this year, App Review detected apps employing harmful code that could steal users’ credentials from third-party services.
Source: Apple Newsroom
Additionally, the App Review team recognised several apps that masqueraded as benign financial management platforms but possessed the ability to transform into different applications. Approximately 24,000 apps were obstructed or eliminated from the App Store due to violations involving bait-and-switch tactics in 2022.
Ratings and reviews
The App Store places significant importance on ratings and reviews as a crucial aspect. Users depend on them to make informed decisions about which apps to download, while developers consider them valuable feedback for enhancing their applications.
Source: Apple Newsroom
However, ratings and reviews from fraudulent or automated accounts can deceive users into downloading unreliable apps that attempt to manipulate the system through misrepresentation. In 2022, Apple took action by blocking and eliminating over 147 million ratings and reviews that did not meet the moderation standards out of the 1 billion ratings and reviews processed.
Payment and credit card fraud
Apple strongly emphasizes combating credit card fraud and maintains a steadfast dedication to safeguarding the App Store and its users from such distress. Merchants need to be provided with credit card numbers, with Apple Pay eliminating a potential risk element in the payment transaction procedure.
Source: Apple Newsroom
Summing up
Apple has been doing this since it launched for the first time. The approach to providing a secure place to its users and developers is necessary for the company to operate successfully in the long run. With evolving tactics of hackers and security intruders, keeping security measures sound is what every company requires.
Marrium Akhtar
May 17, 2023
1 year ago
