Apple has revealed the significant success of its App Store in safeguarding users and developers from fraudulent activities, announcing that its security measures have prevented over USD 9 billion in potentially harmful transactions over the past five years. This substantial figure underscores Apple’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a secure and trustworthy ecosystem for the millions of users who rely on the App Store daily. In the past year alone, 2024, Apple’s proactive strategies successfully blocked over $2 billion in fraudulent attempts, highlighting the ever-present need for vigilance in the digital marketplace.
The company attributes this success to a comprehensive, multi-layered approach that integrates dedicated teams of experts with sophisticated, cutting-edge technologies. A critical component of this strategy lies in the meticulous scrutiny of developer accounts and app submissions. In 2024, Apple demonstrated its unwavering stance against malicious actors by terminating over 146,000 developer accounts and rejecting 139,000 enrollment attempts from individuals with suspected fraudulent intentions. This rigorous vetting process at the entry point prevents potentially harmful apps from reaching users. The initial creation of customer accounts is also subject to stringent checks, with over 711 million fraudulent account creations blocked and nearly 129 million existing customer accounts deactivated due to suspicious activity in the same year.
The app review process itself acts as a significant barrier against malicious software. Combining the nuanced judgment of human reviewers with the efficiency of automated systems, Apple’s team meticulously examines each app submission to ensure adherence to its strict guidelines. This thorough process resulted in the rejection of over 1.9 million app submissions in 2024 alone. Beyond initial submission, continuous monitoring led to removing over 37,000 apps that were subsequently found to be engaging in fraudulent activities, ensuring ongoing protection for users who have already downloaded apps.
Beyond the apps, Apple also actively combats fraudulent attempts to manipulate the App Store’s discovery mechanisms. Efforts to artificially inflate app rankings through fake ratings and reviews are consistently denied. In 2024, Apple identified and removed over 143 million fraudulent ratings and reviews. This protects the integrity of the App Store’s search and recommendation systems and ensures that users are presented with genuine and reliable apps.
Preventing payment and credit card fraud is another critical area of focus. In 2024, Apple’s security measures successfully prevented over $2 billion in fraudulent transactions and identified nearly 4.7 million compromised or stolen credit cards, safeguarding users’ financial information. Integrating secure payment options such as Apple Pay and StoreKit further enhances transaction security within the App Store ecosystem, providing users with a trusted purchase method.
Apple also actively works to prevent the distribution of illegitimate apps through unauthorised channels. In 2024, the company detected and blocked over 10,000 illegitimate apps offered on pirate storefronts. In the past month alone, nearly 4.6 million attempts to install or launch apps distributed outside the official App Store were intercepted, highlighting the persistent threat posed by these unofficial sources and the effectiveness of Apple’s defences against them.
For users who may inadvertently encounter issues with an App Store purchase, Apple provides a straightforward process for requesting a refund. As outlined in their support article, users can easily initiate a refund request by signing in to the dedicated portal and selecting the “Request a refund” option for the relevant transaction. This user-friendly system ensures that individuals have recourse when they believe they have been unfairly charged or received a faulty product.
Apple’s latest figures underscore the immense scale of fraudulent activity targeting app marketplaces and the critical role that robust security measures play in protecting users and legitimate developers. Apple’s continued investment in proactive detection and prevention mechanisms demonstrates its ongoing commitment to fostering a safe and trustworthy environment within the App Store.
