Apple’s App Store Rules Are Stuck In Past

It may be time for Apple to update the rules for its App Store. As we reported in this story today, app developers making apps that allow vibe coding—AI tools that let people without coding experience create apps easily—have run into delays getting their apps approved. Slowing down that process isn’t a good look for Apple, which has faced plenty of criticism in the past for exercising too much control over apps. 

It may not be a coincidence that the delay in App Store approvals is occurring just as vibe coding apps emerge as a potential threat to Apple. After all, as we said in today’s story, if developers can enable vibe coding to create web apps that aren’t listed on the App Store, then Apple loses its ability to control apps. But Apple’s actions may not be as nefarious as they seem. According to Bitrig, one vibe coding app developer whose updates have been delayed, Apple’s rules are simply written for a different age and need revision.