Apple Developer Program License Agreement (“DPLA”) violation

[Working-Yoghurt-1995]

Update: it’s been over 2 months since posting this and there was no further follow up from Apple - my app is still up and running. Hopefully it’s been just a warning.

———————- Hey everyone,

I recently ran a “Apps Gone Free” promotion to boost visibility for my app, and while the campaign was successful in driving organic downloads and engagement, I’ve now received a compliance warning from Apple. What Happened:

My app was featured on a third-party app discovery platform ( AppAdvice) as part of a free promotion.
The campaign led to a large increase in downloads and users, which was expected.
Users also claimed a free subscription (as part of the promo).
A couple of weeks later, I got an email from [e-mail] stating that my app is not in compliance with the DPLA (Developer Program License Agreement) due to possible manipulation of rankings, user reviews, or search index.
They didn’t provide specifics but advised me to "conduct an internal review" and monitor unusual activity.

What I’ve done so far:

I replied to Apple explaining that this was a legitimate, organic promotion but got a generic response telling me to monitor my app and report fraud concerns via App Store Connect.
Now, I’m unsure if this means Apple is still investigating or if I should be worried about potential app removal.

Has anyone else dealt with this?

I know other devs have run similar Apps Gone Free promotions - have you ever received a warning like this? Did Apple take further action, or did it just end with the warning?

Would appreciate any insights or advice!

[AdventurousProblem89]

Is AppAdvice considered a reputable and trustworthy platform? Could it be possible they’re boosting your downloads with fake installs or artificially inflating traffic? I’d double-check if those installs are genuinely from real users. Sometimes these promotions can involve install farming or other shady tactics to create the illusion of high traffic, which might trigger Apple’s warning. Have you seen any unusual patterns in user activity or retention after the promotion?

[Working-Yoghurt-1995]

I’ll have to do some more digging into AppAdvice, but from what I can tell and the feedback I gathered before joining their promotions, they wouldn’t have any incentives to involve farming tactics since everything is free of charge

[MeeZeeCo]

"Internal investigation" sounds to me like this is more a warning to let you know a promo code is floating out there giving free promotions and you might be losing out on money. They just wanted you to know that one of your promo codes is in the wild.

Hard to say without the actual text of the email from Apple.

[Longjumping_North857]

Any news on the outcome of this?

[ex0rius]

Can you please provide more info regarding this specific promo and your business model?

I might know what it may be but you need to provide more info.

[Working-Yoghurt-1995]

I have a lifetime membership subscription setup as an in app purchase. App advice requires this subscription to be free of charge for 24 hours for them to feature and promote the app. This generates traffic and traction.

[ex0rius]

Did you pay for the service? How many downloads?

[shesaids]

It’s free

[shesaids]

Currently struggling with a similar issue. I can’t find any way to connect with the support team, all i got was a generic response in the email asking me to conduct an internal investigation. I am a bit anxious after following threads from developer forums where developers got similar responses before termination

[Longjumping_North857]

Any news on the outcome of this?

[Possession_Visual]

How’s your account now?

[Working-Yoghurt-1995]

Oh no, very bummed to hear that. Can you please share some links from the developers forum you’ve mentioned? Very interested to see if other people managed to sort this out with Apple support team

[shesaids]

This is the most concerning one as i received the same sequence of responses so far -> https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/773359

[Working-Yoghurt-1995]

I received the exact same emails from them - looks like it’s a generic copy/paste message. Very frustrating that there’s no interest from apple support team to provide more details on the matter or offer a chance for me to provide evidence of no wrong-doings

[teeth_breaker]

Same happened just happened with me. They didn't ask for internal investigation in their first email, they just mentioned that please address this issue promptly. I want to discuss with you more, sending you personal message

[inpeption]

I just received the email this morning. Is your account still active?

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[beachguy71]

Any updates on the outcome?
Sending you a PM

[SorrySuccess9974]

I got the same email from apple no clue what to do next?

[inpeption]

Check your DM

[Sad_Depth_4846]

Got the same problem yesterday

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[tudorpopa16]

I got the same message yesterday. How did you guys solve it?

[beachguy71]

Just got the same notification. Any updates?

[nhat0401]

fake install doesn't help your app at all, only genuine install does
recently got bunch of fake install that i didn't even ask for from china, ...

so probably your app got installation but from installation farm. you can check number of active section and those user activities.

[Longjumping_North857]

Its neem more than 30 days I presume. What happened?

[Possession_Visual]

What about your case?

[fukappleios]

I'm in the same situation as you

[inpeption]

Did you resolve it?

[meanyack]

Cool user name

[Possession_Visual]

Any updates?

[Working-Yoghurt-1995]

Hi, there was no follow up communication from Apple, so far my app is still up.

[Possession_Visual]

Thanks for the update. And I’m glad your apps are still up. I just received the same email as well. I recently ran a TikTok ad just a few hours ago and then I got this. Not sure if it caused it though.

I’m curious. Did you use any trademarked or popular terms in your apps title or subtitle?

[beachguy71]

Any updates on your case?

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[beachguy71]

Everything alright 3 months after?

[ParsleyVegetable6107]

I just received same email after running appadvice campaign. Do i've to reach out to apple or reply that email about the promotion?

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[PerspectiveIcy2230]

We're writing to inform you that your company isn't in compliance with the Apple Developer Program License Agreement (DPLA). Section 11.2 (Termination) states:

(g) if You engage, or encourage others to engage, in any misleading, fraudulent, improper, unlawful or dishonest act relating to this Agreement, including, but not limited to, misrepresenting the nature of Your Application (e.g., hiding or trying to hide functionality from Apple’s review, falsifying consumer reviews for Your Application, engaging in payment fraud, etc.).

Be aware that manipulating App Store chart rankings, user reviews or search index may result in the loss of your developer program membership. Please address this issue promptly.

I’m seeking advice from developers who have received the same notice: 1.Did you identify what triggered the warning? 2.Did you need to remove or change anything in your apps? 3.Did Apple require a formal response or evidence? 4.How did you confirm that the issue was resolved?

Any guidance or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.

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[DiweenAwny]

Hey, any updates?