Understand the risks in app reviewers removing in-app categories
Why Are App Categories Removed?
The ECOM team submits your application for review with the intention of having all possible categories and features approved. Due to the variance of the app reviewers and their interpretation of the regulations, sometimes they deny an app version based on the inclusion of a particular category.
The reviewers are people and not bots, so we can't predict how this will vary between reviews. Rejections are typically associated with the Vape and Accessories categories. The ECOM team may be required to disable a category to get an app approved.
What Can You Do About It?
If you would like to push for inclusion of these product categories, you do have the option to introduce them as a new category. Through the Mission Control 'Categories' tab, you can individually manage each categories’ in-app activation and reassign it a new name.
The ECOM team does not advise you to reactivate rejected categories. Please take action based on your team's risk assessment. We are happy to answer any questions about how to use our platform's settings.
Once you are on the Categories Tab, click on a category name to bring up the options shown below. We selected "Tinctures" for the example shown.
Risk Assessment
We cannot make any guarantees about the behavior of the App Moderators. It is possible they will see that a new category has been named and require the app is either shut down until it is updated again or shut down indefinitely pending an appeal. It is more dangerous to rename the categories the same traditional category names rather than introduce them as a new category name.
This is your application, and you have the power to decide how you want to proceed with your own category management. We are here to ensure you are confident in using all the settings that we offer.
Examples of Rejection
- 1.4.3 Apps that encourage consumption of tobacco and vape products, illegal drugs, or excessive amounts of alcohol are not permitted on the App Store. Apps that encourage minors to consume any of these substances will be rejected. Facilitating the sale of controlled substances (except for licensed pharmacies and licensed or otherwise legal cannabis dispensaries), or tobacco is not allowed.
- (ix) Apps that provide services in highly-regulated fields (such as banking and financial services, healthcare, gambling, legal cannabis use, and air travel) or that require sensitive user information should be submitted by a legal entity that provides the services, and not by an individual developer. Apps that facilitate the legal sale of cannabis must be geo-restricted to the corresponding legal jurisdiction.
Developer Guidelines For Your Reference