Apple’s recent crackdown on MyFitnessPal owned Cal AI The food logging app proves that the tech giant is still enforcing the App Store’s strict rules regarding the use of external payments. The calorie counter app, which was briefly removed from the App Store last week, it had attempted to circumvent Apple’s in-app purchase guidelines and had also used manipulative tactics, Apple told TechCrunch.
The developer has since addressed the issues and the app has returned to Apple’s App Store.
App Store Rejection of Cal AI made the rounds on social media last week. Apple seemed to make an example of the company, originally founded by a pair of high school students who grew the business to $50 million in ARR before being acquired by MyFitnessPal in March.
Initially, there was concern that Apple had simply removed the app to use web payments instead of Apple’s own in-app purchase (or IAP), even though this is now allowed.
Apple’s App Store Guidelines currently allow US-based developers to connect to external payment systems, as a result of a court ruling in a lawsuit brought against Apple by Epic Games. In most cases, however, apps are still required to offer Apple’s in-app purchase option along with any external links. (The main exception here is for what Apple calls “reader” apps — that is, those that provide subscription-based access to digital content such as books, audio, music, video streaming, and more. Cal AI doesn’t qualify for this exception.)
Apple, when reached for comment, said the app’s brief removal was due to multiple violations of its rules, including bypassing Apple’s in-app purchase flow, using deceptive billing design and other manipulative tactics. The episode shows that Apple is still actively monitoring how developers implement payments online, even though Epic’s decision loosened some previous restrictions.
Chief among the breaches, Apple said Cal AI had bypassed Apple’s in-app purchases by implementing an integrated in-app payment flow using a third-party service (in this case, Stripe) to unlock access to digital goods. In doing so, it removed Apple’s in-app purchase (IAP) as an option for users at checkout. This violated Apple App Review Guideline 3.1.1which requires the IAP to be offered alongside the external link.
Apple said the company had also engaged in deceptive billing practices, in violation Guideline 3.1.2cas Cal AI’s paywall was designed to mislead and confuse consumers. Specifically, the paywall displayed the weekly calculated pricing more prominently than the actual amount the user would be charged. It also included a toggle for a free trial that hid information about auto-renewing the subscription.
Cal AI was further convicted of using “manipulative tactics,” Apple said, in violation of the the Developer Code of Conduct guideline 5.6. One issue was that the app would prompt users who declined the first subscription offer with a second, different subscription purchase flow. Additionally, the app had many negative reviews from users who accused the app of being a scam because of the way it presented third-party payment options.
After its rejection, Cal AI addressed the issues, allowing the to performance in store, Apple confirmed.
MyFitnessPal and Cal AI did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Cal AI wanted to test the waters to see how actively Apple’s app review team was enforcing its rules after the Apple-Epic court ruling. Apple’s response should serve as a warning that the tech giant is still policing its App Store — even at the risk of losing its cut of a viral app’s revenue, which currently sits at No. 4 on the App Store’s Health & Fitness charts.
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This does not affect our editorial independence.
