Security News > 2021 > June > Bad Apple: App Store Rife with Fraud, Fleeceware

A new analysis from the Washington Post reveals just how widespread fraud is across the Apple App Store, while also offering glimpse into the revenue flowing into Cupertino generated by those malicious activities.

The Apple App Store has been under heightened scrutiny for maintaining its iron grip on the apps available to iOS users.

"We hold developers to high standards to keep the App Store a safe and trusted place for customers to download software, and we will always take action against apps that pose a harm to users," Fred Sainz, a spokesperson for Apple, said in a media statement.

Interestingly, even though Google doesn't rely on a security argument to control app access - although it screen apps before they are published - The Post's analysis found 134 fleecewear apps on the App Sore and just 70 on the Play Store, earning $365 million and $38.5, respectively, lending credence to the idea that a false sense of security really is worse than nothing at all.

On April 21, Apple's chief compliance officer testified in front of Congress about the number of scam apps in the App Store.

"While security professionals will continue to raise and spread awareness around digital safety, it is really Apple who has the proverbial megaphone to raise awareness amongst its customer base and also to ultimately ensure that the App Store does not become a vehicle for perpetrating fraud and scams," Kulkarni said.

News URL

https://threatpost.com/apple-app-store-fraud-fleeceware/166703/