Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has fixed a loophole that allowed app developers to upload fake screen shots to get their app approved then remove them once approved.
“Beginning January 9, app screenshots will be locked in iTunes Connect once your app has been approved. New screenshots may be uploaded when you submit a binary for an update to an existing app or a new app.”
This loophole was widely used by unscrupulous Apple (AAPL) app developers to make a couple quick bucks. App store visitors would be tricked into buying an app based on the screen shot stolen from another popular game.
A good example of this scam can be found on MacRumors.
“For example, in one instance, an unofficial Pokemon Yellow app was uploaded to the App Store. The app snuck by Apple using an unobtrusive set of screenshots, and then switched them out with photos from the Nintendo game, which thousands of people then purchased.”
Apple Inc.(NASDAQ:AAPL) was for the most part good at spotting these scams but they didn’t always get caught right away. Hundreds if not thousands of people would purchase the fake apps before they were pulled. Feedback suggest Apple did refund those who were duped by this scam.
