Everyone has a favorite app that hasn't been updated in a while on the App Store. As long as it still works perfectly, we all probably noticed its lack of a refresh at some point.
It is a big deal now. Over the past week, Apple has sent emails to some developers of apps that haven't been updated in at least 3 years. In the emails, Apple told developers that if they did not update their apps, they would be kicked out of the App Store.
Tweet may have been deleted
Robert Kabwe of Protopop Games was one of the developers who took their complaints to social media. The new policy was explained in a press release. The news release made the company's logic more confusing.
According to Apple, the removal of these apps will improve the security and privacy of its users. The company said the move will aid in the discoverability of regularly updated apps as search results won't be filled with apps that haven't been updated in years.
The removal of an app that hasn't been updated in 3 years is one of the criteria Apple points out. Some of the most popular third-party apps from the early days of the iPhone are likely to be protected by this addendum.
Tweet may have been deleted
Pocket God is still in the App Store, according to app developer Kosta Eleftheriou. Pocket God has not been updated in 7 years.
The company's point about doing this to strengthen user security and privacy on the App Store is undermined by Apple's downloads criteria. Wouldn't an app that is still getting lots of downloads but hasn't been updated in years be even more concerning?
App Store game developers make the point that this rule is unfair to games even if Apple's move seems like a good one to you. Video games can be made and released without ever needing to be updated, even if service apps need to be constantly updated, according to developers.
Tweet may have been deleted
Lazer-Walker said that games can exist as finished objects.
Apple extended the 30 days it gave to developers who received notice to update their apps, in response to the reaction from the policy. 90 days is how long they have been given to release an update.
It's not clear if Apple will continue to fiddle with this policy based on user reaction. Developers have already worked with pushback. Certain apps that have not been updated yet can still be excluded from the rules.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
