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Warning to iPhone Apps devs - Apple can make your apps vanish on a whim

By | August 8, 2008, 6:54am PDT

The sudden and unexplained removal of Armin Heinrich’s $999.99 “I Am Rich” should act as a warning to other iPhone apps developers out there - Apple can make your apps vanish on a whim.

Apple apparently had some problems with I Am Rich. After initially approving it for distribution, the company has since removed it from the store. Heinrich, a German software developer, has yet to hear back from Apple concerning the removal. “I have no idea why they did it and am not aware of any violation of the rules to sell software on the App Store,” Heinrich said in an e-mail with The Times today.

Now, let’s be clear, I didn’t really see any value or benefit to Heinrich’s app (admittedly, I didn’t buy a copy …), and it was a tad overpriced, but let’s be fair, apart from the fact that the price tag was indeed stratospheric, “useless” and “overpriced” are terms that can be used to describe many of the apps on offer at the Apple App Store. But as far as I can see, it wasn’t malicious and clearly stated on the purchase page what the app did. 

Apple so far has not commented on why the app was removed but a possible reason is that someone bought the app believing it to be a joke:

I saw this app with a few friends and we jokingly clicked “buy” thinking it was a joke, to see what would happen.

I’d hate to take this guy to a car dealership or a casino.

Poll

Was Apple right to remove the $1,000 "I Am Rich" app?

If I were involved in selling software through the Apple App Store, this kind of development would have me worried. It seems to be setting a precedent whereby any clown could come across your app, click buy (maybe thinking it was a joke …), later feel dissatisfied, complains, and that results in your app vanishing from the store. All the time you invested in developing and testing the app is now wasted as you are now stuck with an app, but no outlet for it.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s right that Apple reserves the right to remove apps, but this process needs to be transparent and fair. Also, it has to be noted that yanking an app without even having the courtesy to inform the developer is pretty bad form.

Thoughts?

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Topics

apple iphone, apple inc., app, tools & techniques, management, adrian kingsley-hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology.

Disclosure

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

All opinions expressed on Hardware 2.0 are those of Adrian Kingsley-Hughes. Every effort is made to ensure that the information posted is accurate. If you have any comments, queries or corrections, please contact Adrian via the email link here. Any possible conflicts of interest will be posted below. [Updated: February 23, 2010] - Adrian Kingsley-Hughes has no business relationships, affiliations, investments, or other actual/potential conflicts of interest relating to the content posted so far on this blog.

Biography

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology -- whether that be by learning to program, building a PC from a pile of parts, or helping them get the most from their new MP3 player or digital camera.

Adrian has authored/co-authored technical books on a variety of topics, ranging from programming to building and maintaining PCs. His most recent books include "Build the Ultimate Custom PC", "Beginning Programming" and "The PC Doctor's Fix It Yourself Guide". He has also written training manuals that have been used by a number of Fortune 500 companies.

Adrian also runs a popular blog under the name The PC Doctor, where he covers a range of computer-related topics -- from security to repairing and upgrading.

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RE: Warning to iPhone Apps devs - Apple can make your apps vanish on a whim
hqconverter 14th Apr 2009
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0 Votes
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Transparent and Fair
croberts 8th Aug 2008
I think Apple should be commended for yanking a $999 dollar app that basically did nothing of value as far as anyone could tell.
0 Votes
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Neither Transparent or Fair
mdemuth 8th Aug 2008
Why? If the program stated exactly what it did, then that is up to the user to decide if it is worth it.

And Apple seems to have no guidelines available for why they will yank an app. Seems to be 'on a whim'.
Whose whim I'd like to ask?
0 Votes
+ -
Fairness is relative
jdesantiago 8th Aug 2008
I wouldn't go as far as commending Apple for pulling the
app. However, I do think they have every right to pull the
app which is why I am not a fan of the fact that you can
only get apps from their store. It would be nice if I could
host my own app service to publish my apps then the
liability would lie with me and not with Apple.

On a side note. This app has gotten Apple and the App
Store a lot of attention. It was all over both national and
local news. I bet they didn't mind that.
0 Votes
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re: Transparent and Fair
rmlounsbury@... 8th Aug 2008
I can't say I agree with Apple randomly pulling off apps without at least telling the author why they did it. Granted this is Apple's App Store and they make the rules.

However, my bigger concern is that an app like this made it through the Apple screening process. Considering how much crap there is on the App Store vs. useful applications I wonder why Apple even screens the apps? If you are going to let garbage on the App Store like this app just get rid of the screening process.
0 Votes
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It's actually a clever move
jcady@... 12th Aug 2008
And if they let it through the screening process knowing that they would pull it later, simply as a way of passing the message as to where they draw the line?

Also, it's bad enough to use the Store as a venue for gags, it's another to using it to go looking for chumps. This app was taking the Store in a dangerous direction.
0 Votes
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"I Am Rich" app
M.R. Kennedy 8th Aug 2008
"I think Apple should be commended for yanking a $999 dollar app that basically did nothing of value as far as anyone could tell."

I think Apple should be keelhauled for posting the "I Am Rich" app to the AppStore in the first place?

Which idiot there made the decision that this particular app was an appropriate iPhone application? The only things it apparently did was take up space, place a cute icon on the screen, and empty your credit card to the tune of US$999.99.

Oh, wait. It also took 30% and gave it to El Jobso.

I'll bet the Dude In Charge Of iPhone
Apps got a bonus for that...
0 Votes
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What was transparent or fair ...
ShadeTree 8th Aug 2008
... about pulling an application that you prebviously approved without notice or reason? It is clear you would never admit to there being a problem with your precious Apple. According to the poll you are wrong.
0 Votes
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One could say the same for...
jasonp@... 8th Aug 2008
a $999 bracelet or a $999 ring or a $999 pair of earrings...all only serve to show off the fact that you've got money to spend on things of no real inherent value. The sales pitch of this app seemed to be pretty clear...if you're rich and want to show it off, buy this app. Seems to me that's as good as a ***** emblem on a handbag, a Rolex emblem on a watch or a BMW emblem on a car...three things that can routinely add at least $999 to the pricetag of an item. If you support the concept of a free market then you must accept the concept of extravagance for the sole purpose of exravagance. It's not like this guy has some kind of monopoly power and can force people to buy his product.
0 Votes
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Monopoly
michael.tindall@... 11th Aug 2008
...though Apple clearly DOES have a monopoly, as the App Store seems to be the ONLY venue to buy these products.

If this were M$, they would be sued for bundling "I AM FILTHY RICH" for free with the operating system, thus interferring with the competing "I AM RICH", "I AM GOOD LOOKING", "GOD, I AM DRUNK", and the ever-popular "I WAS RICH UNTIL I ACCIDENTLY BOUGHT THIS APP" apps. After a drawn-out court case where the entire EU (bowing to pressure from the Eastern European cybercrime community, who's jealous that they didn't think of it first)gets involved and sues, M$ would settle the case for hundreds of millions of dollars, and the Apple Polishers would cry "Sock it too 'em!"

We have a love for the underdog, which has suited Apple well...but now that they are having to ENFORCE their niche (think PsyStar) they are starting to act like an 800 lb gorrilla...albeit a very fashionable one wearing lipstick, a chanel dress, and $1000 Jimmy Choos.

"what happened to you Apple...you used to be cool"
0 Votes
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Personal choice is good.
Sleeper Service 8th Aug 2008
{NT}
0 Votes
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Oh, I don't know.
spookyone1 27th Aug 2008
I can't actually say for sure that no one thinks the app has
value. We all decide for ourselves what is of value.

The point is, who made Apple and you the deciders of value?
0 Votes
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RE: Warning to iPhone Apps devs - Apple can make your apps vanish on a whim
Loverock Davidson 8th Aug 2008
Wouldn't it all depend on what Apple's terms of agreement are for having apps in the App Store? I wouldn't be surprised if they have a clause that says "Apple reserves the right to remove any software without notice."
0 Votes
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Exactly.
lostarchitect 8th Aug 2008
Everyone is whining about "let the buyer beware", well, the app developer should beware too. he bought into the app store's terms, he can deal with the consequences.
0 Votes
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RE: Warning to iPhone Apps devs - Apple can make your apps vanish on a whim
itinko 8th Aug 2008
croberts, that's like saying Congress should pull President Bush for doing nothing of value as far as anyone can tell...But that's not right, there is a process of fairness at stake here, one Apple failed to observe. Whether it's manifested in corporate or political circles, hubris only serves to alienate and divide, in classical Athens it was considered a crime.
0 Votes
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RE: Warning to iPhone Apps devs - Apple can make your apps vanish on a whim
richvball44 8th Aug 2008
i would imagine that Apple figures it to be a joke also. you buy an iphone for a couple hundred $$ then with a title, I am Rich, and an app that is .1MB in size is really what it says. I am Rich

the developer also has an app titled Calc Pro on the App Store. it's cost is $4.99 and is .6MB in size.

We also do not know a few things regarding the "yanking" of the app. Did it actually DO anything? Was it acidently removed? Did the author ask to have it removed?


from the review section of Calc Pro. one of the reviewers mentioned the $999 app in question to whit, he just added to the app store that cost $999 and does nothing. it IS an image file

blog all you want guys, but do a little research first
0 Votes
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What the app does is not relevant...
knowbody 8th Aug 2008
- What is relevant is whether Apple approved the app for sale through their monopoly distribution channel. If so, then they should follow some established process for app removal, and not simply yank things literally on a whim.
- If their app approval process doesn't filter out things like this, it's still on Apple to fix it, not dictate from on high what shall be anointed this particular minute and cram that down the developer's throat.
- I'm surprised no one has sued Apple for their neutronium brick monopolistic practices. If it were Microsoft people would be crawling all over them by now.
0 Votes
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They are making their bed.
storm14k 8th Aug 2008
I believe this will start causing some people to see Apple as they do MS. Every time Apple starts to peak my interests the turn me off with something like this AppStore or Itunes and the restrictions they place on their systems.
0 Votes
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What the app does is very relevant...
turwaith 8th Aug 2008
First off, the approval process for applications isn't to see "is this app worth $1000", they just want to make sure it meets their terms of agreement and doesn't do anything that could harm the phone. Until you know what apps Apple doesn't approve you should just shut up about it.
Apple had a problem with this app because it was a scam and that reflected on Apple and the App Store. Developers agree to Apple's terms when they sign up for the developer program and they give Apple the right to remove any application they choose. Apple has to have this right for all sorts of legal reasons. It's Apple's store and like any store they have every right in the world to choose what is sold so stop your crying.
0 Votes
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Not a scam
KTLA 8th Aug 2008
A scam requires deceit. This app never claimed to do anything it didn't. It was just an app that showed that you had $1k that you didn't need anymore, something many folks in our society think is worth $1k based on other items that sell well. This is more akin to selling a rediculously expensive car, watch, or other luxury bauble.

It is not a scam in any sense of the word.
0 Votes
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Agreed 100%...
jasonp@... 8th Aug 2008
This kind of behavior would not be tolerated from Microsoft, rightly so, and should not be tolerated from Apple. I just don't understand the aplogists that always rise up to defend these kinds of predatory practices from any company. If someone wants to market something completely worthless as a completely worthless extravagance then let the marketplace decide if it has a market. So long as the application does nothing illegal, infringes on no IP rights and doesn't proport to be something it isn't I don't see what the problem is.
0 Votes
+ -
The app was completely legitimate
KTLA 8th Aug 2008
There was absolutely nothing about the app that was deceptive. In fact, it was VERY clear what it did. If someone can make $999 selling something that does nothing, just so the user can be seen having it, then more power to them.

There's something VERY wrong if you think we need to somehow be "protected" from completely legitimate goods and services because some people don't see a use for a thing.

I think it's hilarious and only wish I had thought of this method of getting rich (or stupid) people to send me free money.
0 Votes
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RE: Warning to iPhone Apps devs - Apple can make your apps vanish on a whim
aaant 8th Aug 2008
they removed Break Classic
0 Votes
+ -
Fear of lawsuits
j.m.galvin 8th Aug 2008
Apple was selling a $1000 piece
of garbage from its store. It's
also easy to "buy" it with just a
click. Further, since it's on this
particular Apple store, consumers
believe that is was approved and
recommended by Apple.

That opens Apple up for all sorts
of lawsuits from buyers who
claim to have been "tricked" or
whatever.
0 Votes
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Nice spin...
iPad-awan 8th Aug 2008
which idiot will buy this?
0 Votes
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an apple fanboy will buy it
deaf_e_kate 8th Aug 2008
there's one born every minute. they have a "holier than thou" attitude because they have bought an expensive toy for a fashion accessory. This app is perfect for the apple purchaser as they have already throw away a lot of money trying to fool people they are better than them.
0 Votes
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oh please.
lostarchitect 8th Aug 2008
are you seriously calling apple users "holier than thou"? have you read your own post?
0 Votes
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So - let me get this straight
Confused by religion Updated - 8th Aug 2008
Lawsuits are the reason they pulled this?

I walk into a store, look at the merchandise, decide to buy it, the salesperson tells me the sale is final, and I purchase it anyway. When I get home, I decide that the item is not worth the price I voluntarily paid for it.

I decide to sue the store for allowing me to spend my money on something I chose?

And that is the reason that Apple pulled the item without even notifying the developer? FEAR OF A LAWSUIT?

Get real...
0 Votes
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Stupid people sue for stupid reasons
turwaith 8th Aug 2008
Imagine this.
You walk in the store and pay $1000 for a paper bag that says it will make you look rich. Then you get home to realize that it's an empty paper bag. Yes you're stupid for buying it, but the store doesn't look good for selling it.

Or how about this. You sue McDonalds because you spill coffee on yourself and it happens to be hot. It's easy to get sued by stupid people.
0 Votes
+ -
This "Apps Store" is anything but a normal store
j.m.galvin 8th Aug 2008
Apple is supposed to have pre-
approved the thing for sale
through its store. In this case it's
a scam. That pre-approval
would open the door for suits
since the product is a scam.

Apple pulled the plug on the
scam product and avoided any
future lawsuits
0 Votes
+ -
Not a scam
KTLA 8th Aug 2008
A scam requires deceit. No one is deceived here, the app does exactly what it says it does and the price is labeled clearly.

You can call it poor value, but in no way is it a scam, nor should Apple remove it.

There are apps that do not function up to par in what they claim to do, you can call those scams if you want. This is not.
0 Votes
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This App is just like any Apple Product
micks_tricks 8th Aug 2008
How far will Apple apologists go to defend their very expensive and useless purchase. This app was not scam. This app reflected the essence of apple products - "Shiny, expensive, Clearly mentioned functions, doesnt do much". I guess they should pull all apple products as well, because many people may realize that they wasted money of an shiny toy.
0 Votes
+ -
This damages the Apple branding ...
MisterMiester Updated - 8th Aug 2008
.. by selling apps that serve no purpose except to line the pockets of a "snake oil salesman" and, by extension of course, Apple is then painted with the same brush.

In reality Apple pulled the app because it hurts them in the public relations department. "Jobs & Company" are definitely not above any underhanded and manipulating business tactics:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16373057/

And yes the "Bush League" DOJ dropped the investigation recently, what a surprise, but there are still shareholder lawsuits pending against several of the top executives. Must have been that "reality distortion field" everyone talks about. wink
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Warning to iPhone Apps devs - Apple can make your apps vanish on a whim
Richard Urban 8th Aug 2008
Quote from article: All the time you invested in developing and testing the app is now wasted as you are now stuck with an app, but no outlet for it.

So the guy should learn to program for Windows. He made his choice.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Warning to iPhone Apps devs - Apple can make your apps vanish on a whim
jamalystic 8th Aug 2008
This is a very deceptive strategy by Apple in order to give them total control of the entire iPhone value chain -- from the hardware down to each individual piece of software and this will not go down well with vendors: Apple's Disappearing iPhone Apps Signal Indecision(http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=539&doc_id=161176&F_src=flftwo)
0 Votes
+ -
Apple apologists
micks_tricks 8th Aug 2008
This place is full of sad Apple apologists.
0 Votes
+ -
This App is just like any Apple Product
micks_tricks 8th Aug 2008
"Shiny, overpriced, Clearly mentioned functions, dont add much value, made for rich fools". After all 8 Iphone lovers bought it within 24 hours.
0 Votes
+ -
At current figures...
Sleeper Service 8th Aug 2008
One in three voters think it's OK to allow applications which have already been vetted to be randomly pulled with no explanation.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at that statistic.
0 Votes
+ -
Apple Developers Fair??? Buwahahahahaha
No_Ax_to_Grind 8th Aug 2008
You msut be joking!
0 Votes
+ -
SDK presentation Apple stated apps can be removed for "unforeseen" reasons
Davewrite 8th Aug 2008
Remember the SDK presentation it was clearly listed that
Apple can remove apps under the 'unforeseen' category.

"Apple may limit the applications that are available in the
store if it doesn???t approve for any of the following six
reasons: ???illegal,??? ???malicious,??? ???unforeseen,??? ???privacy,???
???porn,??? or ???bandwidth hog.???"

------
The App doesn't have to be 'malicious' for it to be denied
approval or be removed.
0 Votes
+ -
Adding to the post
Davewrite 8th Aug 2008
I copied and pasted the list but it's a bit scrambled.

here is the list again the Apple gave on types of apps it
can remove or deny approval:

- illegal
- malicious
- unforeseen
- privacy
- porn
- bandwidth hog
0 Votes
+ -
Agreed
gkent_z 9th Aug 2008
All stores have the right to sell certain products. Seriously,
who benefited from this app? It had the potential to hurt
someone through carelessness or naivete. Remember lots of
people own iPhones now, many young and/or not tech
savvy.If someone complained, or was financially hurt
bloggers would be complaining about Apple's lack of
scrutiny. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.
0 Votes
+ -
Lack of scrutiny
Yax_to_the_Max 11th Aug 2008
Well...Apple should have been scrutinizing ahead of time instead of letting this app through. This isn't even a "Damned if they do, damned if they don't". If they had done a better job with their application assurance, they wouldn't be in this mess.

At least we agree on one point...iPhone buyers are naive.
0 Votes
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Apple was jealous the application author was able...
ye 8th Aug 2008
...to sucker people out of more money than they could happy

(I kid, I kid...couldn't resist)
0 Votes
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RE: Warning to iPhone Apps devs - Apple can make your apps vanish on a whim
richvball44 8th Aug 2008
again, HOW do we know Apple did not notify the author of this app that it was going to be yanked? there is nothing i read in the article that indicates the author wasn't notified.
Also, Calc Pro written by the author of this "app" is still able to sell his apps at the Appstore. Obviously that application DOES meet all the requirements to be sold.

Also, an icon is NOT an application. It is a picture and just sits there. doing nothing, not computing, not even waiting for user interaction. It just sits there. Last i knew an application had to do something with data and do something to give a result. This does not and so is NOT an app. Got it folks?
0 Votes
+ -
Umm...the part that says:
ye 8th Aug 2008
"Heinrich, a German software developer, has yet to hear back from Apple concerning the removal. ?I have no idea why they did it and am not aware of any violation of the rules to sell software on the App Store,? Heinrich said in an e-mail with The Times today."
0 Votes
+ -
and
richvball44 8th Aug 2008
we still dont know if Apple notified him or not. it is just his word.
0 Votes
+ -
And since...
Sleeper Service 9th Aug 2008
1) Apple haven't denied this and
2) He's no reason to lie

Then that's what we have to go on.
0 Votes
+ -
it is an app
Yax_to_the_Max 11th Aug 2008
It's an app that displayed an image. You can't sell images on the app store.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Warning to iPhone Apps devs - Apple can make your apps vanish on a whim
KenoBanker 9th Aug 2008
The App Store is a business that has the right to carry any
product that wish - The products they carry reflect on them
as well as the developer. I can't imagine that you would be
able to lambast Target for pulling a toaster that did nothing -
even though the box may say that it is just a cool looking
mock up that didn't do anything.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Warning to iPhone Apps devs - Apple can make your apps vanish on a whim
hqconverter 14th Apr 2009
Mac FLV Converter ,
VOB Converter Mac,

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