Fakespot, an app that analyzes Amazon reviews to determine which are fake, is no longer available for iOS. Amazon successfully convinced Apple to remove it from the App Store after the company raised concerns that the application was providing misleading information and creating potential security vulnerabilities. The e-commerce giant has confirmed to Engadget that it has reported Fakespot for investigation. One of the biggest concerns, Amazon told us, was that the redesigned Fakespot app, which launched in June, was “wrapping” and injecting code into their website.
“Wrapping” would theoretically allow the app to collect data and compromise sensitive customer information, including credit card numbers. The ecommerce titan has told us that they have contacted Fakespot directly to address their security concerns and that the app developer has not taken any action.
Amazon said in a statement:
“Amazon works hard to create a shopping experience that customers love and a sales experience that enables brands and sellers to build and grow their businesses. The app in question provides customers with misleading information about our sellers and their products and harms our sellers’ businesses . ” , and creates potential security risks. We welcome Apple’s review of this app in accordance with the Appstore guidelines. “
Saoud Khalifah, founder and CEO of Fakespot, has admitted to CNBC that his company collects some user data but said it does not sell any information to third parties. Additionally, he denies Amazon’s claim that the app poses security risks. “We don’t steal user information, we’ve never done that before. They showed zero evidence and Apple responded with no evidence, ”he told the publication. Apparently, Apple didn’t give its company adequate warning before the app was removed, and didn’t even give it an opportunity to fix an issue with the tech giant.
While Apple has yet to make a statement that would clarify exactly why Fakespot was pulled down, Amazon Engadget pointed out two App Store guidelines in particular. One of these guidelines is that an app that displays content from a third-party service must secure permission from that service. The other prevents applications from displaying incorrect information.
Back in early 2020, Amazon was chasing another add-on used to track prices and discounts: Honey, a $ 4 billion PayPal acquisition. People who use Honey saw a warning on the Amazon website that the extension “tracks [their] private shopping behavior, collects data such as [their] Order history and articles are saved and can all be read or changed [their] Data on every website [they] Visit.”
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