Apple Mysteriously Rejects Magazine App ... an Android One

It's not one of the more confusing rejections from the App Store, and in fact it was probably expected. Still, it deserves coverage because its another example of the overbearing control Apple exhibits over its App Store.

A companion magazine app to one that Mediaprovider, a small magazine publisher based in Denmark, had begun selling earlier in the year was rejected. The first, perfectly OK one was called "iPhone Magasinet." The second, rejected app was called "Android Magasinet." We're sure you can see the issue (pun intended) already.

Brian Dixen, managing director of Mediaprovider, wasn't surprised when he received a call from Apple.

Dixen: "So what's the problem?"

Apple Rep (Richard): "You know... your magazine. It's just about Android.... we can't have that in our App Store."

Dixon finds the censorship frustrating. Also, since Apple must approve each issue, he is also concerned about what Apple may and may not deem publishable. It also takes about 2 weeks for Apple to approve a new issue, meaning that the publication is not as timely as it might be. Dixen added:

"It's funny really because I don't think we would sell many magazines on Android through Apple App Store, but the question is where this is going. They must have 500 people working day in and day out controlling the content. We have to get not only our apps but every single copy of our magazines approved and I wonder what will happen if we choose to make the next issue of our magazine about mobile phones in general a theme issue about Android."