Thursday, August 31, 2023

Vexl Rejected From the App Store

vexl (via Hacker News):

Our flagship project — the Vexl app — does exactly this: it connects users with other peers in their social circle so they can exchange cash for bitcoin with them in a privacy preserving way.

[…]

Vexl was successfully operated for almost 9 months, gaining traction of thousands of users. Until May this year.

[…]

After the obligatory primary rejections due to minor UX tweaks, we found ourselves in the middle of a surreal discussion where we would be endlessly explaining[…] After weeks of silence, we received a resolution stating that Vexl is not a financial institution, it just facilitates, enables, and encourages an activity that is […] legal in all of the locations where the app is available.

[…]

Last week we received clarification of our rejection, stating that the app encourages reckless activity. Specifically, the exchange of currencies in person. […] Are Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, Badoo, Grindr, and all other dating apps that encourage people to meet in person also reckless? What about Craigslist and its European counterpart, Vinted, which, on top of meeting in person also include the cash exchange? What about Facebook Marketplace encouraging the same?

Previously:

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Eh, "Hi stranger, lets meet someplace so I can exchange $500 for bitcoin" does seem kind of risky?

I probably wouldn't buy something expensive via Facebook Marketplace either.


Beatrix Willius

What the heck does this even mean?

"The Vexl foundation came to its existence in response to ongoing erosion of individual financial freedoms and the increasing threats to privacy and autonomy in the world around us. Vexl is the embodiment of this mission."

Bitcoin is a scam. I haven't a clue what the use cases for such an app are. But the rejection reason is beyond ridiculous.

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