Apple formalizes ban on non-official coronavirus apps in App Store

AppleInsider

Apple's App Store guidelines for developers have been updated to explicitly state that only apps from official health organization accounts may develop coronavirus resources for distribution.

The App Store has many apps about public health, and Apple only wants official sources

After multiple developers complained about their apps being rejected for being related to coronavirus, Apple has released an update regarding the ban. The update issued by Apple on Saturday afternoon is clear about what it will allow to be distributed.

The App Store should always be a safe and trusted place for users to download apps. Now more than ever that commitment takes on special significance as the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities around the world are depending on apps to be credible news sources -- helping users understand the latest health innovations, find out where they can get help if needed or provide assistance to their neighbors.

To help fulfill these expectations, we're evaluating apps critically to ensure data sources are reputable and that developers presenting these apps are from recognized entities such as government organizations, health-focused NGOs, companies deeply credentialed in health issues, and medical or educational institutions. Only developers from one of these recognized entities should submit an app related to COVID-19.

Apple also re-emphasized the fact that non-profit organizations can get their annual developer fee waived. If the organization is nonprofit, and plans on a free app, Apple will waive the fee if they are in an eligible country.

Also noted is the ability for these specific developers to flag their app as "Time-Sensitive Event" to expedite their app review. This is done in case of emergencies like this where timely distribution of accurate information is critical to the people involved.

The new guideline bans any use of "COVID-19" or "coronavirus" in titles of entertainment apps. Only apps released by an official entity under the health and information category may release coronavirus related content on the App Store.

Apple has taken a strong public stance with aid and information surrounding coronavirus this past weeks from a dedicated Apple News special coverage section, to public donations. AppleInsider has continuous coverage of the coronavirus outbreak as it develops, and will update as Apple continues to deal with it.

lkrupp

Good! And to hell with the "alternative truths" and "competing information" baloney. We already have enough of that from the anti-vaccer crowd, the flat earthers, and creation "science" idiots.  And if you say you can't trust the CDC, the NIH, and the WHO then you can't trust anybody and you're hopeless. What you read on internet blogs is usually about 99% nonsensical idiocy., period.

seanismorris

lkrupp said:

Good! And to hell with the "alternative truths" and "competing information" baloney. We already have enough of that from the anti-vaccer crowd, the flat earthers, and creation "science" idiots.  And if you say you can't trust the CDC, the NIH, and the WHO then you can't trust anybody and you're hopeless. What you read on internet blogs is usually about 99% nonsensical idiocy., period.

Wait... 

Are you saying the world isn’t flat?

You probably think the world is shaped like an Apple then...

; )

wizard69

lkrupp said:

Good! And to hell with the "alternative truths" and "competing information" baloney. We already have enough of that from the anti-vaccer crowd, the flat earthers, and creation "science" idiots.  And if you say you can't trust the CDC, the NIH, and the WHO then you can't trust anybody and you're hopeless. What you read on internet blogs is usually about 99% nonsensical idiocy., period.

That is all well and good but you really should wake up and look at WHO’s behavior in  China over the last couple of months.   If you can honestly say you trust WHO after reasonable research you have a problem.    Between a corrupt reporting system in China and WHO’s willingness to accept what the government in China feed them, we really don’t know how deadly this infection is.    This isn’t anti science as much as it is a humbling government in China and the WHO’s inability to deal with that problem.  

Beyond all of that we must not forget that even the CDC and NIH can be wrong.   This simply because so little is known about the disease at the moment.  

lkrupp

wizard69 said:

lkrupp said:

Good! And to hell with the "alternative truths" and "competing information" baloney. We already have enough of that from the anti-vaccer crowd, the flat earthers, and creation "science" idiots.  And if you say you can't trust the CDC, the NIH, and the WHO then you can't trust anybody and you're hopeless. What you read on internet blogs is usually about 99% nonsensical idiocy., period.

That is all well and good but you really should wake up and look at WHO’s behavior in  China over the last couple of months.   If you can honestly say you trust WHO after reasonable research you have a problem.    Between a corrupt reporting system in China and WHO’s willingness to accept what the government in China feed them, we really don’t know how deadly this infection is.    This isn’t anti science as much as it is a humbling government in China and the WHO’s inability to deal with that problem.  

Beyond all of that we must not forget that even the CDC and NIH can be wrong.   This simply because so little is known about the disease at the moment.  

The professionals may be wrong sometimes but they're all we have. And you are NEVER going to get the truth by slugging through the disgusting pile of dung known as the internet where anonymous 'experts' hold court.

iOS_Guy80

I have a question? Is it conceivable that one day we could see HealhKit and Apple Watch or AirPods detect virus like symptoms.

wizard69

lkrupp said:

wizard69 said:

lkrupp said:

Good! And to hell with the "alternative truths" and "competing information" baloney. We already have enough of that from the anti-vaccer crowd, the flat earthers, and creation "science" idiots.  And if you say you can't trust the CDC, the NIH, and the WHO then you can't trust anybody and you're hopeless. What you read on internet blogs is usually about 99% nonsensical idiocy., period.

That is all well and good but you really should wake up and look at WHO’s behavior in  China over the last couple of months.   If you can honestly say you trust WHO after reasonable research you have a problem.    Between a corrupt reporting system in China and WHO’s willingness to accept what the government in China feed them, we really don’t know how deadly this infection is.    This isn’t anti science as much as it is a humbling government in China and the WHO’s inability to deal with that problem.  

Beyond all of that we must not forget that even the CDC and NIH can be wrong.   This simply because so little is known about the disease at the moment.  

The professionals may be wrong sometimes but they're all we have. And you are NEVER going to get the truth by slugging through the disgusting pile of dung known as the internet where anonymous 'experts' hold court.

I freely admit to the idiots that take glee in the suffering of others.   That doesn’t imply that everybody is so disposed.     The problem is while the WHO and CCP where telling everybody things where fine I’m seeing guys posting videos and interviews from people actually in China.   It was obviously a lot worse than we have been told this lead to a lot of complacency around the world.   Any chance of containment evaporated months ago.  

lkrupp

cat52 said:

Apple is acting very heavy-handed here, and I fail to see what purpose it serves. But it seems once bitten by the censorship bug, it's a hard habit to kick.

As for me I would much prefer an open exchange of ideas & communication, and let the best info win.

For instance an acquaintance of mine spent many years living in Taiwan, and on his blog he gently questioned some of the assumptions made by WHO etc. And this is a guy who has a PhD from MIT...

But gosh, we can't have any of that independent thinking, now can we?

So why Apple feels it is its solemn duty to restrict information about a fast breaking story, is beyond me.

What, exactly, do you mean by "let the best info win"? How is the "best info" determined? Personal bias? Throw of the dice? So if enough people think "overblown hype" is the best info then that's the winner. What if Apple allowed  apps that claim to have a cure for Covid-19 for three easy payments of $49.95? Is that okay with you?

crowley

cat52 said:

let the best info win. 

Yeah, that's worked out real well in the past.

drdavid

wizard69 said:

lkrupp said:

wizard69 said:

lkrupp said:

Good! And to hell with the "alternative truths" and "competing information" baloney. We already have enough of that from the anti-vaccer crowd, the flat earthers, and creation "science" idiots.  And if you say you can't trust the CDC, the NIH, and the WHO then you can't trust anybody and you're hopeless. What you read on internet blogs is usually about 99% nonsensical idiocy., period.

That is all well and good but you really should wake up and look at WHO’s behavior in  China over the last couple of months.   If you can honestly say you trust WHO after reasonable research you have a problem.    Between a corrupt reporting system in China and WHO’s willingness to accept what the government in China feed them, we really don’t know how deadly this infection is.    This isn’t anti science as much as it is a humbling government in China and the WHO’s inability to deal with that problem.  

Beyond all of that we must not forget that even the CDC and NIH can be wrong.   This simply because so little is known about the disease at the moment.  

The professionals may be wrong sometimes but they're all we have. And you are NEVER going to get the truth by slugging through the disgusting pile of dung known as the internet where anonymous 'experts' hold court.

I freely admit to the idiots that take glee in the suffering of others.   That doesn’t imply that everybody is so disposed.     The problem is while the WHO and CCP where telling everybody things where fine I’m seeing guys posting videos and interviews from people actually in China.   It was obviously a lot worse than we have been told this lead to a lot of complacency around the world.   Any chance of containment evaporated months ago.  

Everyone has had some kind of trouble dealing with China. The U.S. government, Apple, google, Microsoft all have. Trying to blame WHO when they are risking their lives trying to contain a pandemic is reprehensible. The WHO offered a test for the virus to the U.S. months ago and we turned it down. S. Korea and the U.S. had their first cases on the same day. S. Korea has implemented drive thru testing and we are not even close to them, much less the needed testing to get the pandemic under control. If there’s any skepticism it should be for the trump administration’s handling of this. He disbanded the cabinet level pandemic response unit and when asked about it said he doesn’t take responsibility for that action at all. 

“Leadership: Whatever happens, you're responsible. If it doesn't happen, you're responsible.” 

lkrupp

wizard69 said:

lkrupp said:

wizard69 said:

lkrupp said:

Good! And to hell with the "alternative truths" and "competing information" baloney. We already have enough of that from the anti-vaccer crowd, the flat earthers, and creation "science" idiots.  And if you say you can't trust the CDC, the NIH, and the WHO then you can't trust anybody and you're hopeless. What you read on internet blogs is usually about 99% nonsensical idiocy., period.

That is all well and good but you really should wake up and look at WHO’s behavior in  China over the last couple of months.   If you can honestly say you trust WHO after reasonable research you have a problem.    Between a corrupt reporting system in China and WHO’s willingness to accept what the government in China feed them, we really don’t know how deadly this infection is.    This isn’t anti science as much as it is a humbling government in China and the WHO’s inability to deal with that problem.  

Beyond all of that we must not forget that even the CDC and NIH can be wrong.   This simply because so little is known about the disease at the moment.  

The professionals may be wrong sometimes but they're all we have. And you are NEVER going to get the truth by slugging through the disgusting pile of dung known as the internet where anonymous 'experts' hold court.

I freely admit to the idiots that take glee in the suffering of others.   That doesn’t imply that everybody is so disposed.     The problem is while the WHO and CCP where telling everybody things where fine I’m seeing guys posting videos and interviews from people actually in China.   It was obviously a lot worse than we have been told this lead to a lot of complacency around the world.   Any chance of containment evaporated months ago.  

Your original rant was about Apple censorship. You want "competing information" to decide for yourself what's true here. Bottom line? Too bad for you! Apple is doing it and there's nothing you can do but leave the platform. Of course you can get all the "competing information" you want on the Drudge Report. He links to every screwball article on the internet. Then you can decide whether Covid-19 is dangerous or not. All by your little self. I hope you get it right for your sake.