Apple refuses to launch the new HEY application on the App Store, which has sparked some controversy in the past, and the application developer criticizes it as “the same bullying tactic that happened last time” – Livedoor News

Apple refuses to put the new HEY app on the App Store, which has caused some problems in the past, and the app developer criticizes it as “the same bullying tactic as last time.”

HEY, a paid premium email service developed by 37signals (formerly Basecamp), announced a new calendar functionality integrated with the email service on January 2, 2024. The calendar functionality called HEY Calendar is scheduled to be released as a separate app separately from HEY, but A situation arose where Apple refused.

Apple rejects HEY Calendar from its App Store

https://world.hey.com/dhh/apple-rejects-the-hey-calendar-from-their-app-store-4316dc03

Apple's rejection of Hey Calendar renews an old battle – The Verge

https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/5/24027283/apple-hey-rejection-calendar-app-basecamp-david-heinemeier-hansson

When HEY registered on the App Store in 2020, it took the position that “Apple's fees are too high, so we require payment without making in-app purchases,” and was almost removed from the app. The store has become a hot topic. The high fees Apple charges for third-party apps distributed on the App Store have become a hot topic following the lawsuit between Apple and Epic Games, but 37signals, the developer of HEY, was the first to criticize Apple's practices.

Apps are at risk of deletion for not performing in-app purchases on the App Store – GIGAZINE

On January 2, 2024, 37signals announced a new calendar function, HEY Calendar. HEY Calendar was scheduled to gradually roll out to existing HEY users as a separate app, but on January 5, about 72 hours after its announcement, David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founder of 37signals, revealed that he had received a letter from Apple refusing to distribute the calendar. The HEY Calendar app is in the App Store.

According to Hanson, HEY Calendar has been under review for 19 days since its submission to Apple, and was scheduled to be released on January 2, 2024. However, Apple declined to release the app because in order to use HEY Calendar, “you need to sign in with an existing HEY account.” .

However, HEY also does not allow you to create an account directly on the app, as you must create an account on the browser and then log in to your account on the app. Additionally, many non-HEY apps are designed so that “you can only use the app if you are signed in with an existing account.” Specifically, apps like Netflix, Google Calendar, Salesforce, and JPMorgan are designed so that “you can't use the apps unless you're signed in with an existing account.”

Hanson also pointed out that nothing in Apple's App Store guidelines states that “apps that require an existing account are prohibited.” Furthermore, “the only thing that exists is who has to use in-app purchases and who can avoid it,” Harrison said, and despite the lack of guidelines, some app developers are given preferential treatment. I deplore the current situation.

Mr Hanson also criticized Apple's response to his account

Apple just called to let us know they're rejecting the HEY Calendar app from the App Store (in current form). Same bullying tactics as last time: Send the subtle rejection of a call to someone by first name only and they'll calmly tell you it's your wallet or your knees. — DHH (@dhh) January 5, 2024

Additionally, due to the turmoil of 2020, Apple made concessions to HEY and allowed it to “enroll in paid services other than in-app purchases.” As a result, Apple is adding the following language to its App Store Guidelines:

3.1.3(f) Standalone Free App: A free app that acts as a standalone companion app to a paid web-based tool (e.g. VOIP, cloud storage, email service, web host, etc.) does not allow in-app purchases. There is no need to use in-app purchases unless you occur or direct purchases outside of the app.

Hudson criticizes Apple for refusing to release apps for the same reasons as before, despite the aforementioned language being added to the guidelines due to the 2020 uproar.

Since we were obviously never going to pay them a hefty 30% ransom, they went back to the nonsense about “the app doesn't do anything when you download it”. Despite the fact that after last time, they specifically worded HEY in the App Store Review Guidelines 3.1.3 (f)! pic.twitter.com/GfqBCMgvSw — DHH (@dhh) January 5, 2024

External media outlet The Verge asked Apple and 37signals for comment, but at the time of writing, no response had been received.