The app “Collect Cards: Store box” has been fooling Apple for over a year!
Apple’s review team works hard to ensure that only apps that comply with the rules are distributed. However, this is not a foolproof protocol, as has been shown in the past. This week, it double-checked that claim, finding that A pirated streaming app managed to sneak into the App Store for several months.
“Collect Cards: Store box” hit the App Store over a year ago with a vague description and screenshots showing it as a simple photo and video management app.
Dual-function app bypassed App Store security
“Collect Cards: Store box” bypassed the verification process and showed its true nature through geolocation. Depending on the user’s location, the corresponding interface was displayed. For users in the United States, for example, the basic photo management interface was enabled, while in other countries, such as Brazil, where it reached number 2 among the most downloaded free appsPirated content has been unlocked.
This is not the first case of apps using geolocation to trick the App Store’s rating system. In 2017, Uber was accused of disabling tracking features as it approached Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino.and in 2021 it emerged that the review team, despite having over 500 human experts, relies heavily on automated processes for the initial review of applications.
Millions of reasons not to be careless
Incidents like this have put shows the need to strengthen the App Store review mechanisms.
Even if it is not the case this time, security breaches generate high economic losses for technology companies. In 2024 alone, the real cost of security breaches is expected to reach $9.5 trillion.
Although Apple has not commented on this to the media outlets that published the discovery, it has taken action. A few hours ago, The company has removed “Collect Cards: Store box” from the App Store.
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