Earlier this year, Apple introduced new app store guidelines banning the mobile apps made using templates- a technique the app developers were using the develop faster and low-cost applications.

The tech giant took this step to lessen the number of low-quality and ‘spam’ applications that provide lesser services to the users. However, the decision adversely affected the SMBs and non-profit organizations that were relying on the third-party application development companies (like ChowNow) to gain digital presence.

To cope up with the situation, Apple has revised its 4.2.6 App Store guidelines.

Let’s have a look at the changes:

Before:

4.2.6 mobile apps developed from a commercialized template or application generation services would be rejected.

Now:

4.2.6 applications made from a commercialized template or application generation services would be rejected if submitted directly by the provider of the mobile app’s content; it has to be submitted by the owner itself. Another option for getting the template-based mobile application acceptable is to build a single binary to host all the client content in an assembled or ‘picker’ model.

In other words, the local and small brands can get their mobile apps developed using templates, but they have to review the App Store documentation and licensing agreement on their own. They can no more rely on the iOS app developers for this.

Besides unbanning the template-based applications, the new store guidelines also offers a new section on VPN apps, which were removed from the app store in China this year. Apple says that the mobile apps offering VPN services must include the NEVPNManager API and should clearly define what user data will be taken. Also, it should not conflict with the local laws.

Apple has also announced that the applications offering Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), cryptocurrency futures trading, etc. must be integrated with established banks, security agencies, or other approved financial institutions.

In addition to this, Apple has also decided to work in the direction of ensuring that the frameworks like the HomeKit and HealthKit are better employed for their proposed objectives, and their integration is mentioned in the app description.

Apple has also declared that they will waive $99 developer fee for all the government and non-profit organizations in early 2018.

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