Apple began showing users notifications about “harmful software” Telega on April 17.
The conflict between JSC Cart and Apple reached the FAS. The Russian developer said that Apple removed the Telega application from the App Store, blocked the account in the Apple Developer program and began to limit the launch of already installed versions on users’ devices.
The company said it had sent a statement to the Federal Antimonopoly Service because of the actions of Apple Inc. and affiliates. The reason was the removal of the application from the store, blocking the launch on users’ devices and disabling the developer’s account.
According to Teleg’s ASC, on April 9, Apple unsubstantiated the developer’s account and the App Store account, and on April 17, she began to show users notifications and limit the launch of already installed copies on iOS. After the notification, the company immediately sent requests for an appeal and clarification of the reasons, but in 10 days, according to the developer, Apple did not send a response on the merits. The company said it did not receive a description of the alleged violations, the results of the audit and recommendations that would correct possible problems.
JSC Telega believes that the problem is not related to a separate solution on one application, but with the procedure of Apple. In the statement, the company pointed to the opaque grounds for blocking, the absence of a period for eliminating possible violations and automatically sending notifications with a note of malware. According to the developer, such a marking affects the perception of the security of the application even before the completion of the proceedings and deprives the company of the opportunity to protect its reputation at the stage of verification.
The developer claims that Telega does not contain hidden mechanisms, does not interfere with the work of iOS and does not pose threats to users and their data. The company also said that the app uses its own architecture and additional features that help Russian users access the Telegram infrastructure.
In an appeal to the FAS, the company asks to recognize the actions of Apple as a violation of Article 10 of the Law on Protection of Competition, restore access to the developer’s account and the App Store, as well as to inform users who deleted the application after notifying the system. A separate requirement concerns the change in the procedure of interaction of Apple with developers. JSC Telega insists that if you suspect the platform must report specific technical claims and give a reasonable deadline for correction.
The company admitted that Apple’s questions could be related to the VK call module or proxy infrastructure, but stressed that no specifics from the platform did not receive. The developer regarded such a model of work as arbitrary actions on the part of the platform owner.
Separately, JSC Telega complained about publications in the media, where the application was called malicious or spyware without reference to technical expertise or court decisions. The company believes that the wave of such messages began after notifications to Apple. They also said that messages about the influence of Telega on the update of devices are associated with the iOS bug: when the system warning about malware, the update may be accompanied by a download error, but the effect itself, according to the developer, arises on the side of system processes and is not associated with the operation of the application.
Telega JSC stated that the application does not contain malicious code, is not spyware and does not violate the safety of users. The company also said it was considering the possibility of judicial protection of a business reputation in relation to the media, which spread false information, in its opinion.
The conflict between JSC Cart and Apple reached the FAS. The Russian developer said that Apple removed the Telega application from the App Store, blocked the account in the Apple Developer program and began to limit the launch of already installed versions on users’ devices.
The company said it had sent a statement to the Federal Antimonopoly Service because of the actions of Apple Inc. and affiliates. The reason was the removal of the application from the store, blocking the launch on users’ devices and disabling the developer’s account.
According to Teleg’s ASC, on April 9, Apple unsubstantiated the developer’s account and the App Store account, and on April 17, she began to show users notifications and limit the launch of already installed copies on iOS. After the notification, the company immediately sent requests for an appeal and clarification of the reasons, but in 10 days, according to the developer, Apple did not send a response on the merits. The company said it did not receive a description of the alleged violations, the results of the audit and recommendations that would correct possible problems.
JSC Telega believes that the problem is not related to a separate solution on one application, but with the procedure of Apple. In the statement, the company pointed to the opaque grounds for blocking, the absence of a period for eliminating possible violations and automatically sending notifications with a note of malware. According to the developer, such a marking affects the perception of the security of the application even before the completion of the proceedings and deprives the company of the opportunity to protect its reputation at the stage of verification.
The developer claims that Telega does not contain hidden mechanisms, does not interfere with the work of iOS and does not pose threats to users and their data. The company also said that the app uses its own architecture and additional features that help Russian users access the Telegram infrastructure.
In an appeal to the FAS, the company asks to recognize the actions of Apple as a violation of Article 10 of the Law on Protection of Competition, restore access to the developer’s account and the App Store, as well as to inform users who deleted the application after notifying the system. A separate requirement concerns the change in the procedure of interaction of Apple with developers. JSC Telega insists that if you suspect the platform must report specific technical claims and give a reasonable deadline for correction.
The company admitted that Apple’s questions could be related to the VK call module or proxy infrastructure, but stressed that no specifics from the platform did not receive. The developer regarded such a model of work as arbitrary actions on the part of the platform owner.
Separately, JSC Telega complained about publications in the media, where the application was called malicious or spyware without reference to technical expertise or court decisions. The company believes that the wave of such messages began after notifications to Apple. They also said that messages about the influence of Telega on the update of devices are associated with the iOS bug: when the system warning about malware, the update may be accompanied by a download error, but the effect itself, according to the developer, arises on the side of system processes and is not associated with the operation of the application.
Telega JSC stated that the application does not contain malicious code, is not spyware and does not violate the safety of users. The company also said it was considering the possibility of judicial protection of a business reputation in relation to the media, which spread false information, in its opinion.
