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| Amazon attacks app that detect fake reviews |
After Amazon complained that the app contained misinformation and potential security risks, Apple removed Fakespot from the App Store, a popular app used to detect fake product reviews.
Fakespot app analyzes the credibility of reviews on Amazon offers and rates them from A to F in order to provide buyers product recommendations with the highest level of customer satisfaction.
The e-commerce giant said it has reported Apple to Fakespot to investigate concerns that a redesigned version of the app would display Amazon's website in the app, overlaying Fakespot code and content, which could confuse consumers.
Amazon says it doesn't allow apps to do this. The application provided customers with misleading information about the seller and its products that harm the seller's business and pose potential security risks.
After the app has been verified by Apple, the app is no longer available in the App Store.
It turns out that misleading or false user reviews are a huge problem for online retailers, including e-commerce giants.
The company recently ramped up its efforts to spot fake reviews. The third-party market with millions of sellers has grown to more than half of the company's total sales. But it has become a breeding ground for false opinions, fake and dangerous products.
Regulators in the US and abroad have taken steps to combat fake reviews on and off Amazon.
As fake reviews continue to proliferate online, third-party apps and sites have sprung up to help shoppers spot them, such as Fakespot, ReviewMeta, and ReconBob.
Apple said in a statement that Amazon began a dispute with Fakespot on June 8 over intellectual property issues.
Apple said it provided steps to Fakespot to keep its app in the Store and gave it plenty of time to fix the problem. I contacted Fakespot on June 29, a few weeks before the app was removed from the App Store.
Amazon asks Apple to remove Fakespot
Apple hasn't explained how Fakespot broke the App Store guidelines. However, Amazon said Fakespot may have violated two subsections of Apple's App Store guidelines.
One principle is that apps must ensure that they are authorized to use, access, monetize or publish third-party services. Another directive says that applications should not have error messages and functionality.
Amazon also claims that Fakespot's programming technology enables the app to collect and track customer information.
In January of this year, the company brought similar charges against PayPal's Honey, a browser extension that allows users to find coupons while shopping online.
Saud Khalifa, founder and CEO of Fakespot, denies claims that the app poses a security risk.
He clarified that while Fakespot collects some user data, it does not sell it to third parties.
Khalifa added that many apps use the same programming techniques to integrate a web browser ad as a coupon provider.
He said many apps and websites also collect and track user information, including Amazon.