Apple Wants Parler and Fortnite Back in Their Store
I’ve noticed some conventional wisdom in the past several months that Apple is mad at Epic and Parler, and that they want to punish them. Maybe, but there’s a much simpler explanation for their behaviour: both apps broke the policies of the App Store, so they were removed. It wasn’t much more complex than that.
Tim Cook recently said he wants to see Parler, the controversial app used by conservatives, back on the App Store. I think this stance confused people because they assume that Apple doesn’t like Parler and would therefore not waste any time trying to get them reinstated. But there’s a much simpler explanation: Apple just wanted Parler to do a better job with moderation. As they said. Repeatedly. Without qualifications.
Now we’re seeing a similiar misunderstanding about Apple’s motivations when it comes to Fortnite’s place on the App Store. People are talking about Apple “punishing” Epic and being “mad” at them. But there’s a much simpler explanation: Fortnite was breaking App Store policy. The moment Fortnite submits a new version of Fortnite to the store that doesn’t break policy, Apple will gladly bring them back. As they’ve said. Repeatedly. And clearly.
You can dispute whether or not the App Store is too powerful, or if they’re applying their rules consistently, or whether or not their rules are fair. There’s lots to discuss and uncover on these meaty topics! But when you get right down to it, it’s just a boring case of following the rules. Apple’s policy says you can’t have an unmoderated social network nor can you sell things in your app that bypass the store. The minute Parler and Epic decide to come in line with the policy, Apple will welcome them back with open arms.
Well, maybe not the minute. You know how those App Store review queues can be.
