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Apple has updated its App Store guidelines, making an important clarification: Apps for random or anonymous chats are no longer welcome in the App Store. With this change, Apple expands the list of app types that can be removed without prior notice. This sends a clear signal to developers, as well as to anyone observing Apple's platform policies.
Apps with user-generated content have been among the most sensitive areas in the App Store for years. Apple has repeatedly emphasized the particular risks associated with this area. The new wording in the guidelines demonstrates Apple's willingness to intervene more strictly and close existing gray areas. This involves not only technical issues, but also security, social responsibility, and political considerations.
Apple's focus on security for user-generated content
Apple's app review guidelines include a dedicated section on security. One subsection addresses apps with user-generated content. Apple explicitly points out that these apps present "particular challenges," including copyright infringement, anonymous harassment, and bullying.
To reduce these risks, Apple has long been demanding concrete measures. These include mechanisms for reporting offensive content as well as technical solutions that can filter or restrict problematic content.
Expansion of the list of banned app categories
In addition to these requirements, Apple maintains a list of app types that are generally not permitted in the App Store and can be removed without warning. This list has previously included apps primarily used for pornographic content, those that facilitate physical threats, or those that objectify real people, for example through "hot or not" voting.
What's new is the explicit inclusion of apps for "random or anonymous chats." The updated version of Section 1.2, "User-Generated Content," states that apps or services primarily used for pornographic content, Chatroulette-like experiences, random or anonymous chats, the objectification of real people, physical threats, or bullying do not belong in the App Store and may be removed without warning. With this, Apple clarifies that anonymous chat formats are categorically considered problematic.
Possible reasons for the new clarification
It's unclear why Apple added this wording now. Previous versions of the guidelines already mentioned "Chatroulette-like experiences." However, the new rule goes further and explicitly includes anonymous and random chats.
Last year, Apple and Google removed the OmeTV app from the App Store and the Play Store. This followed a report by the Australian eSafety Commissioner, which warned that anonymous random chat platforms can endanger children. Such apps are particularly popular among younger users and are repeatedly linked to cases of bullying, intimidation, and inappropriate content. Given this, it seems likely that Apple views the new rules as part of a broader strategy to protect minors.
Political context and further scope for action
Besides youth protection, political and social factors could also play a role. One example mentioned is BitChat, an anonymous peer-to-peer chat app by Jack Dorsey. This app was used primarily by demonstrators in countries like Nepal, Iran, and Uganda.
Following the recent ban on apps like ICEBlock, which allowed users to report ICE activities, it appears that Apple is deliberately expanding its guidelines to allow for more leeway in future deletions. Last year, Apple faced heavy criticism for justifying such actions with the rather vague rule regarding "offensive content." The new, more precise wording could be an attempt to secure better legal and public relations grounds.
Apple sets clear limits on anonymous chats
By adding random and anonymous chat apps to its list of prohibited content, Apple is significantly tightening its App Store policy. This change makes it clear that Apple fundamentally views this type of communication as a risk. For developers, this means an increased risk of app removal or, in effect, the end of such concepts. For Apple itself, it's another step towards more consistently enforcing control, security, and policy oversight in the App Store. (Image: Shutterstock / Who is Danny)
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