Apple Reportedly Urged App Creator to Revise Branding Due to Alleged Link to Illicit Substances
In the realm of tech giant Apple, an application could be deemed inappropriate one day, only to be embraced the next. This was the experience of Amphetamine developer, William Gustafson. Amphetamine, an application designed to prevent Macs from going into sleep mode during tasks like file downloads or specific app usage, found itself in hot water with Apple's App Store guidelines.
On December 29, Gustafson received a notification from Apple, claiming that Amphetamine, which had been on the Mac App Store for six years, was now violating one of the company's guidelines. The issue centered around the name "amphetamine," as it is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and the icon, which featured a pill. Apple's representative cited Guideline 1.4.3, which focuses on safety and physical harm, as the reason for the app's removal threat. This guideline specifically prohibits apps that encourage the use of illegal drugs, controlled substances, or excessive alcohol consumption.
Gustafson, understandably, objected to Apple's reasoning. He argued that Amphetamine did not promote the use of drugs, legal or illegal, nor did it facilitate the sale of controlled substances. He also pointed out that other similar apps, such as Coca and Drug Mafia, were still available on the App Store without any issues. Gustafson even shared screenshots of his interactions with Apple, confirming the threat to remove Amphetamine.
Gustafson's appeal was eventually accepted by Apple, citing that Amphetamine was using the term "amphetamine" metaphorically and was not intended to promote drug use. However, he acknowledged that this doesn't guarantee freedom from future issues with the tech giant.
This incident raises concerns about Apple's inconsistent application of its App Store guidelines. It also underscores the delicate balance between tech companies' desire to regulate content and the freedom of developers to create and distribute their applications.
Apple's future App Store guidelines might potentially challenge the existence of Amphetamine again, given its past controversy. Despite the application's purpose being to manage Mac sleep modes, its name and pill-shaped icon echoing the drug 'amphetamine' proved contentious.
Gustafson's disagreements with Apple extended beyond the amphetamine-related issues. He disputed Apple's justification for removing Amphetamine due to its name and icon, pointing out comparable, untouched apps like Coca and Drug Mafia.
In the aftermath, Amphetamine was reinstated on the App Store, but Gustafson remains vigilant about future tech giant interventions. He emphasized that Apple deemed the use of 'amphetamine' in Amphetamine's name as metaphorical and not an incentive for drug use.
This incident involving Amphetamine and its App Store removal was not only a learning experience for Gustafson but also a major talking point for other developers who rely on platforms like GitHub to display and distribute their applications.
