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Wednesday, January 09, 2013, 06:55 pm
Apple to lock iOS app screenshots upon submission to halt scammers
In a change of App Store policy, Apple announced on Wednesday that screenshots attached to app submissions will be locked in once they are approved, effectively putting an end to a scamming tactic used to dupe customers into spending money on fraudulent apps.
The new rule, made effective today, looks to stymie attempts from scammers who would submit an app showing one set of screenshots only to swap them out with images from other popular apps after being approved by Apple. As noted by MacRumors, nefarious developers would combine the fallacious images with app names suggesting the work was a legitimate iteration of an existing title.
A video of such a scam that has been making its rounds on the web shows an app called "Mooncraft," supposedly a a clone of the hit game Minecraft, is not quite what the buyer was expecting. As seen below, the screenshots in iTunes clearly represent a different game than the one actually purchased. Note that the Mooncraft icon is also a blatant copy of the Minecraft franchise, further confusing unwitting customers.
From the announcement:
Beginning January 9, app screenshots will be locked in iTunes Connect once your app has been approved. New screenshots may be uploaded when you submit a binary for an update to an existing app or a new app. For more information on capturing and using screenshots, read the Xcode User Guide.While Apple's new policy will cut down on fake apps, it is also likely to hinder honest developers who will now have to go through the roundabout process of submitting updates to their respective app pages to change an image.
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Previous Comments View All
..."hinder honest developers who will now have to go through a roundabout process to upload screenshots to their respective app pages in the event of an update or version change."
"New screenshots may be uploaded when you submit a binary for an update to an existing app or a new app."
Not sure how you're hindered in the event of an update or version change, since you can upload a new image then...
Is it really that hard? I mean, it was made to be as simple as possible. All screenshots on all Apple devices are leagues easier than anywhere else.
I think they should allow video clips of the app in action like in Google Play, as well. That'd be nice to see. But really, the policy for all App Store scams should be pretty simple: all available apps deleted, developers banned for life, legal action taken (if applicable). Guarantees such as this would cut down on rule breakers by a great amount.
There I fixed that for you. No thanks needed, the pleasure was mine.
I recommend everyone whining to take a midol. Perhaps we can have a few articles on ISP disruptions and how it annoyingly impacts one's mail and workflow? Not.
There I appended that for you. No thanks needed, the pleasure was mine.
Fixed. Your implication that anything's broken right now was... wrong.
While Apple's new policy will cut down on fake apps, it is also likely to hinder honest developers who will now have to go through a roundabout process to upload screenshots to their respective app pages in the event of an update or version change.
As a developer, that last line is total BS. Changing screen shots is as easy as clicking the remove "X" on the old shot, clicking the upload button and sliding the new shot into the position you want. All Apple is changing is the ability to change the screen shot after it is approved. Checking that your screen shots are still accurate should be part of every developer's upload checklist. Also the screenshots only lock once an app is approved, so you have 7-12 days (based on my experience) after you upload to catch any missed image updates before the approval locks your images. This should have zero impact on honest developers.
Fixed. Your implication that anything's broken right now was... wrong.
Thanks
That's good. Now they need to stop accepting posters as screenshots... it is not an art exhibit.
As a developer, that last line is total BS. Changing screen shots is as easy as clicking the remove "X" on the old shot, clicking the upload button and sliding the new shot into the position you want. All Apple is changing is the ability to change the screen shot after it is approved. Checking that your screen shots are still accurate should be part of every developer's upload checklist. Also the screenshots only lock once an app is approved, so you have 7-12 days (based on my experience) after you upload to catch any missed image updates before the approval locks your images. This should have zero impact on honest developers.
Agreed. I have half a dozens apps in the App Store and frankly I thought the screenshots were unchangable after approval already (most of the other elements were). I'm glad they changed this. One of the things Apple should be verifying is that the screenshots are a reasonable representation of the app. Obviously they can't do that if the developer can change them at any time.
As a proud user of mine-craft that picture was of it, it's description similar. Fact is all needed is pictures to be reviewed every time it is changed.
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Is it really that hard? I mean, it was made to be as simple as possible. All screenshots on all Apple devices are leagues easier than anywhere else.
I think they should allow video clips of the app in action, as well. That'd be nice to see. But really, the policy for all App Store scams should be pretty simple: all available apps deleted, developers banned for life, legal action taken (if applicable). Guarantees such as this would cut down on rule breakers by a great amount.