Apple pulls 'Fakespot' from app store following complaint from Amazon

Apple removed Fakespot, a popular fake-reviews detection app from the App Store on July 16 following a complaint lodged by Amazon against the application for 'providing misleading information' and for 'potential security risks', reported CNBC.

Fakespot launched its Secure Shopping App on iOS platforms on June 3. The app's features include flagging fake reviews, counterfeit products and bad sellers on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon.

Amazon reported that the complaint was lodged against the application amid concerns over "wrapping", which could let the app collect user's sensitive information and data. "The app in question provides customers with misleading information about our sellers and their products, harms our sellers' businesses, and creates potential security risks," said the e-commerce giant in a statement.

Fakespot founder and CEO Saoud Khalifah disputed the claims made by Amazon, saying that: "We don't steal users' information, we've never done that. They've shown zero proof and Apple acted on this with zero proof," as reported by CNBC. He also claimed that Apple's decision to remove the app did not come with adequate warning.

Apple however told The Verge that since the complaint was lodged by Amazon on June 8, both parties were informed, in contact and given time to resolve the issue.

"This was a dispute over intellectual property rights initiated by Amazon on June 8 and within hours we ensured both parties were in contact with one another, explaining the issue and steps for the developer to take to keep their app on the store and giving them ample time to resolve the issue. On June 29, we again reached out to Fakespot weeks before removing their app from the App Store," Apple told The Verge.

Khalifah told The Verge that Apple informed Fakespot that they may be forced to pull the app on June 29, but claimed that no additional guidance was provided.

"While we are disappointed with Apple's decision, we understand that they were put in a very tough position and made the business decision not to wrestle with Amazon's lawyers," tweeted Fakespot on July 1