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How do apps like WeChat are allowed then? There are entire platforms and mini-programs inside.

by _hao 6y ago

kinkrtyavimoodh 6y ago
Section 5.1.2(iii) of the App Store Review Guidelines has a special exception for Apps with a 1 billion install base from a country where the government doesn't give two hoots about your App Store Review Guidelines.
- andreasley 6y ago
  That's simply not true. To the people saying it's obviously a joke: The App Store Review Guidelines have become huge and I wouldn't have been surprised to find something like this in there, although not in these exact words. Actually, I wish the App Store Review Guidelines WOULD state exceptions like the one mentioned. At least that would be transparent.
  - manigandham 6y ago
    It's not a real guideline, they were making a joke. But it's true that Apple risks alienating their iOS user base there if they try to ban WeChat now.
  - chottocharaii 6y ago
    Seems obvious that was a joke
- saagarjha 6y ago
  The actual guideline made for WeChat is 4.7: > Apps may contain or run code that is not embedded in the binary (e.g. HTML5-based games, bots, etc.), as long as code distribution isn’t the main purpose of the app, the code is not offered in a store or store-like interface, and provided that the software (1) is free or purchased using in-app purchase; (2) only uses capabilities available in a standard WebKit view (e.g. it must open and run natively in Safari without modifications or additional software); your app must use WebKit and JavaScript Core to run third-party software and should not attempt to extend or expose native platform APIs to third-party software; (3) is offered by developers that have joined the Apple Developer Program and signed the Apple Developer Program License Agreement; (4) does not provide access to real money gaming, lotteries, or charitable donations; (5) adheres to the terms of these App Review Guidelines (e.g. does not include objectionable content); and (6) does not offer digital goods or services for sale. Upon request, you must provide an index of software and metadata available in your app. It must include Apple Developer Program Team IDs for the providers of the software along with a URL which App Review can use to confirm that the software complies with the requirements above.
manigandham 6y ago
WeChat didn't start like that. Now they have the network effects to stay because Apple doesn't want to risk the backlash of the China market.
Aeolun 6y ago
Presumably they feed Apple money by the billions.
- Barrin92 6y ago
  they don't need to feed them anything. A phone in China without access to Wechat is metal junk. It's actually WeChat which has the dominant position on that front.
ssvss 6y ago
Apple seems to have modified the rules just enough so that apps like WeChat can operate, From https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1137321.shtml https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1137321.shtml > According to a statement the WeChat Team sent to the Global Times, the pulldown menu has been a function that WeChat always has and has always tried to optimize. > But the team stressed that the pulldown menu only provides WeChat users a convenient way to open the Mini Programs that they have used before. The menu does not recommend new Mini Programs to the users, neither does WeChat have a commercial model based on centralized traffic distribution like app stores. Also changes to their Payment rules, https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/16/16896008/apple-wechat-tips-agreement https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/16/16896008/apple-wechat-tip...
saltedonion 6y ago
Let’s face it. It has never been about fairness. Only profit maximization.

How do apps like WeChat are allowed then? There are entire platforms and mini-programs inside.

by _hao 6y ago

How do apps like WeChat are allowed then? There are entire platforms and mini-programs inside.

Section 5.1.2(iii) of the App Store Review Guidelines has a special exception for Apps with a 1 billion install base from a country where the government doesn't give two hoots about your App Store Review Guidelines.

andreasley 6y ago
That's simply not true. To the people saying it's obviously a joke: The App Store Review Guidelines have become huge and I wouldn't have been surprised to find something like this in there, although not in these exact words. Actually, I wish the App Store Review Guidelines WOULD state exceptions like the one mentioned. At least that would be transparent.
- manigandham 6y ago
  It's not a real guideline, they were making a joke. But it's true that Apple risks alienating their iOS user base there if they try to ban WeChat now.
- chottocharaii 6y ago
  Seems obvious that was a joke
saagarjha 6y ago
The actual guideline made for WeChat is 4.7: > Apps may contain or run code that is not embedded in the binary (e.g. HTML5-based games, bots, etc.), as long as code distribution isn’t the main purpose of the app, the code is not offered in a store or store-like interface, and provided that the software (1) is free or purchased using in-app purchase; (2) only uses capabilities available in a standard WebKit view (e.g. it must open and run natively in Safari without modifications or additional software); your app must use WebKit and JavaScript Core to run third-party software and should not attempt to extend or expose native platform APIs to third-party software; (3) is offered by developers that have joined the Apple Developer Program and signed the Apple Developer Program License Agreement; (4) does not provide access to real money gaming, lotteries, or charitable donations; (5) adheres to the terms of these App Review Guidelines (e.g. does not include objectionable content); and (6) does not offer digital goods or services for sale. Upon request, you must provide an index of software and metadata available in your app. It must include Apple Developer Program Team IDs for the providers of the software along with a URL which App Review can use to confirm that the software complies with the requirements above.

manigandham 6y ago

WeChat didn't start like that. Now they have the network effects to stay because Apple doesn't want to risk the backlash of the China market.

Aeolun 6y ago

Presumably they feed Apple money by the billions.

Barrin92 6y ago
they don't need to feed them anything. A phone in China without access to Wechat is metal junk. It's actually WeChat which has the dominant position on that front.

ssvss 6y ago

Apple seems to have modified the rules just enough so that apps like WeChat can operate, From https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1137321.shtml https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1137321.shtml > According to a statement the WeChat Team sent to the Global Times, the pulldown menu has been a function that WeChat always has and has always tried to optimize. > But the team stressed that the pulldown menu only provides WeChat users a convenient way to open the Mini Programs that they have used before. The menu does not recommend new Mini Programs to the users, neither does WeChat have a commercial model based on centralized traffic distribution like app stores. Also changes to their Payment rules, https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/16/16896008/apple-wechat-tips-agreement https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/16/16896008/apple-wechat-tip...

saltedonion 6y ago

Let’s face it. It has never been about fairness. Only profit maximization.