There are currently two major platforms for developers to go overseas, Google and Apple, needless to say. In the past few years, most irregular developers or developers who try to make money quickly have been wandering between the two major app stores (two major platforms) of Google Play and Apple Store. Since the number of developers who violated and abused the rules in the early years was not as many as it is now, and the rules of the early platforms were not perfect, this type of developers had a certain living space in the early days.
Around 2022, the rules and account termination penalties of the Google Play developer platform were significantly less severe than those of Apple Developer, so most developers who “did not follow the beaten path” preferred Google Play. Only by using the “rule sensitivity” between different platforms can they “survive”.
In the past two years, Google platform did not seem to have an easy time. Until the end of 2023, Google Play’s risk control algorithm reached its highest point in history. A large number of Google developers could not complete the release of apps on the Google platform. For reference, see the link Google Play developer’s year-end hot questions. What is the future direction of Google developers?
So this group of developers who rely heavily on fixed models and fixed projects to make a living fled to Apple Developer. Because Google at that time gave “these developers a headache”, the apps they developed with great effort were terminated one after another, and they had no choice but to turn to Apple Developer, which could temporarily release apps.
In the first half of 2024, a large number of “unconventional” developers migrated from Google to iOS, resulting in a large number of illegal accounts and software submissions being rejected by Apple. See the article Apple Developer Rejection Issue Guideline 4.3(a) – Design-Spam
Today, it is still this group of developers who continue to “pollute” the iOS platform ecosystem. While 4.3a has not yet left, new account termination issues have come in batches, 3.2(f). The following is the original text of the account termination email.
This letter serves as notice of the termination of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement (the “ADP Agreement”) and the Apple Developer Agreement (the “Developer Agreement”) between you and Apple, effective immediately.
Under Section 3.2(f) of the ADP Agreement, you agree not to “take any action designed to interfere with Apple software or services, the intent of this Agreement, or Apple’s business practices, including, without limitation, taking actions that could impede the performance or intended use of the App Store, Custom App Distribution, TestFlight, Xcode Cloud, Ad Hoc Distribution, or the Programs…” Apple has good faith belief that you have violated this provision due to documented fraudulent activity in your account.
Apple is exercising its right to terminate your status as an Apple Developer under the Apple Developer Agreement and for dishonest and fraudulent conduct in connection with the Agreement under the ADP Agreement. We would like to remind you that all software and other confidential information you obtain from Apple as an Apple Developer and under the ADP Agreement is subject to your obligations. You must immediately cease use and destroy such materials and comply with all other termination obligations set forth in Section 11.3 of the ADP Agreement and Section 10 of the Apple Developer Agreement. If applicable, we will no longer pay you any amount pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Paid Applications Agreement (Schedules 2 and 3 of the ADP Agreement).。
Will the revenue be paid after the Apple Developer account is terminated?
Different violations will have different final results. The basic 3.2f email message prompts: If applicable, we will no longer pay you any money in accordance with Section 7.1 of the Paid Application Agreement (ADP Agreement Schedules 2 and 3).
Therefore, subsequent unpaid subscription revenue may not be paid. For reference only, please refer to Apple’s implementation.
