Again and again, Apple’s app evaluation group slips through fraudulent programs for the App Store, which the company should have intercepted without any problems. A developer recently reported a particularly brazen move. According to him, one provider succeeded in cloning his software – several times, only differentiated by different icons. The programs are designed in such a way that they require expensive weekly subscriptions that can cost over 200 euros a year.
Not particularly creative copy
The affected developer, Kevin Archer, takes care of the well-known Authenticator app by 2Stable for macOS and iOS. It generates two-factor authentication codes and its basic function is free of charge – if you want premium functions, you can subscribe for 10 euros per year. Archer discovered in mid-February when browsing his app keywords then a program with the same name as his app.
The cloner or cloners took over large parts of the text from his app – including the indication that it runs on the Apple Watch, which the clone program does not do. In order to get more app reviews, the clone program also asks users to rate the application immediately – a clear violation of Apple’s rules.
clone clones itself
But that’s not all: The clone app also includes an expensive subscription function. The makers would like to have just under 4 euros a week after a seven-day trial period. Makes over 200 euros a year. A little later Archer discovered it too a clone of clone. This, in turn, comes from another developer who has apparently not made any changes apart from different colors and a slightly different icon.
Archer wonders how this can happen. Apple often blocks apps for “ridiculous stuff” but allows others to spam the App Store with impersonated apps and weekly subscriptions. It’s hardly a small business. It can be calculated that some of the scammers earn millions in this way – at the expense of the users, while Apple collects its 30 percent commission.
(bsc)