{"id":31208,"date":"2021-01-01T15:49:33","date_gmt":"2021-01-01T20:49:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/?p=31208"},"modified":"2021-06-07T11:38:51","modified_gmt":"2021-06-07T15:38:51","slug":"amphetamine-threatened-with-app-store-removal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/2021\/01\/01\/amphetamine-threatened-with-app-store-removal\/","title":{"rendered":"Amphetamine Threatened With App Store Removal"},"content":{"rendered":"

William C. Gustafson<\/a> (tweet<\/a>):<\/p>\n

Amphetamine<\/a> is a free app that helps keep your Mac awake. Amphetamine has been on the Mac App Store since 2014 and it’s been downloaded over 432,800 times. It currently has over 1,400 reviews and a 4.8 out of 5.0 rating in the US Mac App Store.<\/p>

On December 29th, 2020, a representative from Apple contacted and informed me that, after 6 years on the Mac App Store, Amphetamine had spontaneously began violating one of Apple’s App Store Guidelines<\/a>.<\/p>

Apple then proceeded to threaten to remove Amphetamine from the Mac App Store on January 12th, 2021 if changes to the app were not made. It is my belief that Amphetamine is not<\/strong> in violation of any of Apple’s Guidelines. It is also my belief that there are a lot of people out there who feel the same way as me, and want to see Amphetamine.app continue to flourish without a complete re-branding.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

Petition<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Apple has accused Amphetamine of violating the following guideline:<\/p>\n

1.4.3 Apps that encourage consumption of tobacco and vape products, illegal drugs, or excessive amounts of alcohol are not permitted on the App Store. Apps that encourage minors to consume any of these substances will be rejected. Facilitating the sale of marijuana, tobacco, or controlled substances (except for licensed pharmacies) isn’t allowed.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Apple further specified:<\/p>\n

“Your app appears to promote inappropriate use of controlled substances. Specifically, your app name and icon include references to controlled substances, pills.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

The app doesn’t promote the use of any pills by humans. Rather, it’s a metaphor for offering your Mac a common treatment for Narcolepsy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Jeff Johnson<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

Apple featured the app that they now want to remove for supposedly promoting drug use.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Update (2021-01-01): William C. Gustafson<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

While Amphetamine (the app) does not promote the use of illegal drugs, there are other apps that do. You can find plenty of other apps on the App Store that either promote irresponsible use of both legal and illegal drugs, or outright glorify the manufacture and sale of illegal drugs. These other apps have not been removed from the App Store or forced to rebrand.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

See also: David Heinemeier Hansson<\/a>, Hacker News<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Previously:<\/p>\n