Apple has shared a clarification regarding the approval process of Telegram’s latest update which includes new stickers, and the controversial “Telemojis”.
Telegram is a messaging app that offers a fast, and safe secure platform for communication with rich features like sending texts, audio messaging, pictures, videos, polls, group chats, stickers, emojis and more.
Recently, the CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov complained about Apple’s review process after its update was not approved. He wrote that App Store’s “obscure” review process creates a monopoly by discouring developers from distributing the new versions of their apps. He threw shade at the tech giant’s treatment of small companies.
For example, our upcoming update – which is about to revolutionize how people express themselves in messaging – has been stuck in Apple’s ‘review’ for two weeks, without explanation or any feedback provided by Apple.
If Telegram, one of the top 10 most popular apps globally, is receiving this treatment, one can only imagine the difficulties experienced by smaller app developers. It’s not just demorallizing: it causes direct financial losses to hundred of thousands of mobile apps globally.
Telegram’s new update included an animated emoji pack that had the same language as Apple’s trademark emoji
After Durov published his complaint post, the App Store review team approved Telegram’s update but removed the controversial animated emoji pack and now we know why. A spokesperson of Apple reached out to 9to5Mac to provide a clarification about what happened behind the scene.
According to the spokesperson, Telegram’s latest update included an animated emoji pack that used the same language as Apple’s trademark emoji and that is a violation” of the App Store’s 5.2.5 guideline which states that ” third-party developers can’t create apps that are “confusingly similar to an existing Apple product.” In the same guideline, Apple makes it clear that this includes not replicating Apple emoji design.”
The person explained that the same rules applied to all developers, big and small, which are devised to protect users and trademarks.
Telegram is available on the App Store for free with in-app subscription plans. It is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and requires iOS 9.0 or later.
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