In February, 9to5Mac reported that the popular Authenticator app faced iOS copycats. At the time, there were increasing complaints about the App Store’s review process. But six months later, not much seems to have changed as 2Stable developers now face the same problem, raising the fundamental question of Apple’s App Store as a gatekeeper to scammers and “a place you can trust”.
Authenticator app maker Kevin Archer posted a Twitter thread about the issue. He is writing:
Scammers are back in the App Store with a new developer account but the same app and of course weekly subscription. They use the same strategy and ask for a review in the onboarding stage to get more reviews, the same 5 screens [as his app]and a weekly subscription at the end.”
In a few sentences, even the more naive Apple customers know that even if Archer wasn’t dealing with a copycat, this app would already be violating a few App Store policies.
What impresses Archer is that the scammer’s developer hasn’t even “changed the design or text of their main screen. It is identical to the old version they copied from our app. The same website format they used in the past for their privacy policy and contact form” is also used here.
The scammers are using dishonest techniques, especially simulating or buying downloads for specific keywords in the App Store, and right now the app is climbing. Soon more and more users will be scammed out of $239 per year.
Not only is this the second time in six months that developers have faced this problem, but it also shows how little Apple is committed to changing its approach to avoiding scam apps and fake developer accounts. Having only a “Report a Problem” option for makers of Authenticator to reach Apple hurts small business owners because they can’t pay for specific keywords in the App Store search — or buy downloads, like these copycats do.
9to5Mac’s Take on App Store Scam Via 2Stable’s Authenticator App
It’s frustrating how Apple deals with scammers. Every now and then we report stories of multimillion dollar scam apps in the App Store. More than once, the company has “incorrectly” displayed these applications in its store.
As Apple faces lawsuits around the world, involving the Epic vs. Apple is one of the most high-profile disputes over the company’s power in the App Store, Apple needs to do more to make the App Store the place customers can truly trust.
Last October, Apple brought back the “Report a Problem” link to help fight scams with two major improvements, but since it’s the only tool available to contact the App Store team, developers are struggling until Apple catches this scam. apps or it terminates fake developer accounts.
Finally, don’t forget to check out 2Stable’s incredible Authenticator app on the App Store here and read our story about the app here.
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