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Could Your Favorite Unofficial iPhone App Be Taken Down Next?
An app for downloading torrents on iPhones, named iTorrent, was recently taken down by Apple. This happened even though the app was not on Apple’s official App Store but was available through a different service in the European Union called AltStore PAL.
An App Suddenly Vanishes
In July, users noticed that the iTorrent app was no longer available on AltStore PAL. AltStore PAL is a marketplace for apps that exists because of new rules in the European Union. These rules, known as the Digital Markets Act (DMA), require large tech companies like Apple to allow other app stores on their devices. The iTorrent app, which is open source, meaning its code is public, was one of the apps offered on this alternative store.
When the app disappeared, no one knew why. The developer of iTorrent, Daniil Vinogradov, confirmed that Apple had suddenly blocked his ability to distribute the app. He received no warning before this happened. When he asked Apple for an explanation, the company only said that a special team was looking into the matter. This lack of a clear answer created confusion and frustration for both the developer and the users of the app. The co-founder of AltStore PAL also reached out to Apple, asking for more information about why the app was removed.
Was It About Piracy?
Many people quickly assumed that Apple removed iTorrent because it is a torrent client. This seemed like a reasonable guess because Apple has a long history of not allowing torrent-related apps on its platform, a policy that goes back more than a decade. However, it is important to understand what a torrent client actually is. A torrent client is simply a tool, much like a web browser or a download manager. It allows people to download files using a specific method called the BitTorrent protocol.
The tool itself is not illegal. The act of downloading files through torrents is also not illegal. The legal problems start when someone uses a torrent client to download and share material that is protected by copyright without permission. This is known as piracy. But a torrent client can be used for many perfectly legal purposes.
- Downloading different versions of operating systems, like Linux.
- Getting free software, such as the office suite LibreOffice.
- Accessing movies, music, and books that are in the public domain, meaning they are no longer protected by copyright.
- Distributing large scientific data sets for research purposes.
- Allowing independent artists and creators to share their work with a large audience without high server costs.
The responsibility for what is downloaded lies with the person using the tool, not with the person who created the tool. Blaming the iTorrent app for piracy would be like blaming a car manufacturer for a driver who speeds.
The Real Reason Comes to Light
After two months of waiting and sending emails, the developer finally received a clear answer from Apple. The company stated that the app was removed to follow rules related to government sanctions. Apple was not concerned about the app’s ability to download torrents. Instead, the issue was with the developer’s account.
The developer, Mr. Vinogradov, had an Apple developer account that was registered in Russia. Due to international sanctions, companies like Apple are restricted from doing business with certain entities and individuals based in Russia. This meant that the developer’s account was in violation of these rules, and as a result, Apple revoked the app’s permission to be distributed in the EU.
However, the situation was more complicated. Mr. Vinogradov has not lived in Russia for over three years. He currently lives in Malta, which is part of the European Union, and has an EU Residence permit. The problem was that he had never updated his Apple developer account information to reflect his new address. He admitted that this was his mistake. While he accepted that Apple had a valid reason to enforce the sanction rules, he was still very unhappy with how the company handled it. He pointed out the complete lack of initial warning and the extremely long time it took for Apple to explain the situation. He now plans to update his account details and hopes to bring iTorrent back to AltStore PAL soon.
What This Means for Apps and Developers
This situation highlights a bigger issue about the power that large tech companies hold over software distribution. Even with new laws like the DMA in Europe, which are meant to create a more open market, companies like Apple still have immense control. The way Apple handled the iTorrent case, with its poor communication and delayed responses, shows that complying with the new rules can be a difficult process for developers.
For developers, this serves as an important reminder to keep all account information, especially location and identity details, completely up to date. A simple administrative error can lead to an app being taken down without warning. It also shows that clear and quick communication between platform owners and developers is essential for a healthy app ecosystem.
This is not just an issue for Apple users. Google is also implementing stricter rules for Android developers, requiring them to verify their identities. While these measures can help improve security and hold developers accountable, they also create more hurdles. As platforms continue to tighten their rules, stories like the removal of iTorrent show how easily developers can get caught in a web of complex regulations, even when their app itself does nothing wrong.