Apple yesterday updated its App Store Review Guidelines for developers, introducing several new rules, including prohibitions on infringing other developers’ intellectual property in app names and icons, to curb clone app issues.

According to the update on Apple’s developer website, under the new Section 4.1(c), developers are now prohibited from using another developer’s app icon, brand, or name in their own app’s icon, brand, or name without permission — a clarification added to existing rules to prevent developers from releasing “look-alike” apps of popular titles.

Furthermore, in the new Section 3.2.2(ix), Apple requires that apps offering loans must not charge more than a 36% annual interest rate (including all costs and fees) and must not demand full repayment within 60 days. The rule also explicitly brings HTML5/JavaScript mini-programs and mini-games under the scope of App Store review.
In terms of underage protections, the updated Section 1.2.1(a) requires that creative-content apps be able to identify content beyond age limits and impose restrictions on the user side to prevent minors from freely accessing age-inappropriate material.
Regarding privacy, the new Section 5.1.2(i) clearly requires that, before sharing personal data with third parties—including third-party AI models—developers must disclose to the user what data will be shared and obtain explicit user consent before doing so.

The above content is compiled by ModeZone, a fashion and entertainment magazine.