Apple's Cal AI crackdown signals it's still policing the App Store | TechCrunch

"Apple's App Store Guidelines allow U.S.-based developers to link out to external payment systems, but apps are still required to offer Apple's in-app purchase option alongside any external link."

"Apple stated that Cal AI's brief removal was due to multiple violations, including bypassing Apple's in-app purchase flow and using deceptive billing design."

"The episode illustrates that Apple is actively policing how developers implement web payments, despite the Epic Games ruling that loosened some earlier restrictions."

"Cal AI does not qualify for the 'reader' app exception, which allows certain apps to use external payment systems without offering Apple's in-app purchase option."

Apple's enforcement of App Store rules was highlighted by the removal of the Cal AI food-logging app for violating in-app purchase guidelines. The app attempted to bypass these rules and employed deceptive billing practices. Although the app has since returned to the App Store after addressing the issues, the incident underscores Apple's ongoing scrutiny of developers' payment implementations. Despite a court ruling allowing external payment links, most apps must still offer Apple's in-app purchase option, which Cal AI failed to do.

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