7 days ago, I joined the Apple Developer Program. I have never had a Developer account and this was my first time in the program.
I am building my app using Flutter and it was time to start device testing. The app is not finished but I had enough parts finished to allow testing with a small number of users.
So, four days later, it was time to start testing. I was able to successfully deploy the app to one user using Internal testing and TestFlight.
For the other users (about 10), I wanted to use a link and thus I set up an external group and submitted my app for approval.
Shortly after (<10mins), I received an email from Apple saying my account was terminated because of “documented indications of fraudulent conduct associated with your account” (full email below).
I was shocked. Why would they nuke my account? I’ve done nothing other than submit my app for approval the FIRST time. I have NO pattern of activity that someone would conclude as fraud. Heck, I haven’t had ANY activity other than submitting my app the first time.
You would expect if there was something wrong with my app, they would tell me, I would fix it and resubmit for approval.
No, just complete annihilation. My developer account has been closed (at least for one year it seems) and there is no way to appeal the decision.
I submitted two Apple support requests asking what’s going on and no response.
Is there some other way to appeal this decision?
If you are wondering what my app does…its a Golf app. Nothing offensive to anyone.
Full email from Apple. The Contact Us link in the email doesn’t work. It just takes you to Apple Store Connect and I can’t do anything since they revoked my account owner role.
This letter serves as notice of termination of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement (the “ADP Agreement”) and the Apple Developer Agreement (the “Developer Agreement”) between you and Apple effective immediately.
Pursuant to Section 3.2(f) of the ADP Agreement, you agreed that you would not “commit any act intended to interfere with the Apple Software or Services, the intent of this Agreement, or Apple’s business practices including, but not limited to, taking actions that may hinder the performance or intended use of the App Store, Custom App Distribution, or the Program.” Apple has good reason to believe that you violated this Section due to documented indications of fraudulent conduct associated with your account.
Apple is exercising its right to terminate your status as an Apple developer pursuant to the Apple Developer Agreement and is terminating you under the ADP Agreement for dishonest and fraudulent acts relating to that agreement. We would like to remind you of your obligations with regard to all software and other confidential information that you obtained from Apple as an Apple developer and under the ADP Agreement. You must promptly cease all use of and destroy such materials and comply with all the other termination obligations set forth in Section 11.3 of the ADP Agreement and Section 10 of the Apple Developer Agreement.
If applicable, no further payments will be made to you pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Paid Applications agreement (Schedules 2 and 3 to the ADP Agreement).
This letter is not intended to be a complete statement of the facts regarding this matter, and nothing in this letter should be construed as a waiver of any rights or remedies Apple may have, all of which are hereby reserved. Finally, please note that we will deny your reapplication to the Apple Developer Program for at least a year considering the nature of your acts. If you want to file an official complaint pursuant to an applicable Platform Regulation in your country or region you may Contact Us.
Sincerely, Apple Inc.