iGBA Removed From App Store: Apple Cites Spam and Copyright Violations
Apple Declares Removal
Apple has removed the Game Boy emulator iGBA from its App Store, citing violations of the company’s App Review Guidelines related to spam (section 4.3) and copyright (section 5.2). However, the company provided no further details behind the decision.
Duplication and Ad Controversy
iGBA closely resembled Riley Testut’s open-source GBA4iOS app, which has been distributed outside the App Store. The emulator quickly gained popularity upon its release, but social media users condemned it as a blatant copycat with excessive advertisements.
Testut’s Concerns
“I did not give anyone permission to do this,” Testut stated in a post on Threads. “It’s now sitting at the top of the charts (despite being filled with ads + tracking).” Testut questioned the effectiveness of App Review in protecting consumers from such apps.
Post by @rileytestutView on Threads
Apple’s Clarification Request
Apple has not explicitly stated whether iGBA’s removal was due to its resemblance to GBA4iOS. We have reached out to Apple for further clarification and will update this article upon receiving any additional information.
Game Boy Emulation and ROM Usage
iGBA enabled iPhone users to play Game Boy games by using free ROMs downloaded from the internet. ROMs exist for a wide range of games, including popular titles like Pokémon and The Legend of Zelda. Those who installed the app prior to its removal can continue using it.
Nintendo’s Legal Stance
Nintendo’s customer support website emphasizes that downloading pirated copies of its games is illegal. It is unknown whether Nintendo lodged a complaint with Apple regarding iGBA, potentially influencing its removal.
Copyright Guidelines
According to the App Review Guidelines’ section 5.2, apps should only include content that they have created or for which they hold a license. Unauthorized use of content may result in app removal, protecting both developers and users from intellectual property infringement.
Uncertainty After Rule Change
iGBA’s appearance in the App Store came shortly after Apple updated its guidelines to allow “retro game console emulators.” However, the swift removal of the app raises questions about Apple’s specific criteria for emulation.
Testut’s Alternative Solutions
Despite the setback, Testut has created another Nintendo emulator called Delta, which is distributed outside the App Store. Delta will also be available through Testut’s alternative app marketplace AltStore on iPhones in the EU. It remains to be seen whether Testut will attempt to release Delta on the App Store following the rule change.