The popular Mac app “Amphetamine” remains in the Mac App Store after reportedly under threat of removal because of its name and brand, which Apple said violated App Store guidelines.
/article-new/2021/01/amphetamine.jpg?resize=560%2C315&ssl=1)
Amphetamine is a free Mac app that helps users keep their machine awake for a set amount of time. Launched in 2014, the app has been downloaded more than 432,000 times and ranks high in the Mac App Store. The app is also featured by MacRumors back in the days. After six years of working in the Mac App Store, Apple suddenly decided that Amphetamine is in violation of the App Store guidelines.
Amphetamine developer William Gustafson posted an extensive report on GitHub a few days ago explaining that an Apple representative contacted him and said that Amphetamine would be removed from the Mac App Store on January 12, 2021 if some changes would take place. not made to the app. The representative indicated that Amphetamine violated the following requirement:
Apps that encourage the use of tobacco and vape products, illegal drugs or excessive amounts of alcohol are not allowed in the App Store. Apps that encourage minors to consume any of these substances will be rejected. Facilitating the sale of marijuana, tobacco or controlled substances (except licensed pharmacies) is not allowed.
The Apple representative reportedly said, “Your app appears to be promoting inappropriate use of controlled substances. In particular, your app name and icon contain references to controlled substances, pills.”
Gustafson argued that amphetamine does not promote illegal drug use because amphetamine is a legal prescription drug in the United States. He also noted that “objectively” amphetamine does not encourage the use of amphetamine “irresponsibly, illegally or recreationally”.
Just as amphetamine (the organic compound) can be legally used to keep people awake and alert, Amphetamine (the app) can be legally used to keep your Mac awake.
Gustafson has filed an appeal and filed a Change.org petition that has collected more than 500 signatures in an effort to combat the claim against the app. And only recently, he announced on Twitter that he had ended a phone call with the App Review Board and that Amphetamine will remain in the Mac App Store.
I just got on the phone with @Apple. Appeal accepted and Amphetamine remains on the @App Store. Thank you all for your comments, opinions and action. We may not all agree, but I’m glad we all still have the freedom to express ourselves. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PV7eB9aUfn
– William C. Gustafson (@ x74353) January 2, 2021
Amphetamine has been promoted directly by Apple in a Mac App Store story and has garnered over 1,400 reviews in the Mac App Store, so it seems strange that the app was now only being asked to change its branding. Additionally, Gustafson said he has had numerous interactions with Apple and its App Review Team regarding amphetamines, but the issue has never been addressed before so it’s unclear what caused the issue.