Apple rejected sticker apps that promoted mask-wearing, but it’s reinstating them now
Two Apple builders have been given the inexperienced mild to advertise mask-wearing with their stickerpack apps for iOS, after beforehand receiving rejections from Apple that urged they have been making “inappropriate references to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Here’s how this story started:
Had related rejection. Our stickers stated ”put on a masks”, “wash your hands”. Got authorised once we eliminated the textual content but kep the sticker. pic.twitter.com/cFZABwwY8A
— Mark Johnson (@markjnet) November 8, 2020
How may a pleasant sticker carrying a masks be an inappropriate reference to COVID-19, significantly when Apple has its very personal mask-wearing emoji? That was the query on my thoughts, so I reached out to Apple yesterday.
This morning, Apple replied that not solely does the corporate not have any guidelines about mask-wearing stickers, but that each of those examples are completely OK — and each builders have since confirmed that Apple has authorised their apps.
Apple known as to make clear. Said there isn’t any downside, content material is authorised. Said depiction of masks and hand washing in our app Emoji Me Animated Faces is ok. The coverage is meant for apps that are marketed as COVID apps.
— Mark Johnson (@markjnet) November 10, 2020
It’s not fairly clear why they have been rejected to start with, but Apple says it’s been cautious solely to let medical establishments and official well being businesses point out “COVID-19” of their app names or metadata (which opportunists may attempt to get their apps to look increased in search). Both Apple and Google have insurance policies designed to verify COVID-19 searches level to apps that may truly provide help to defend your self.
These explicit apps are the *Chef’s Kiss* and Emoji Me Animated Faces Kids apps, in case you’re curious.