Apple pledges credible information on App Store in fight vs Covid-19

Dubai - Developers urged to create content sourced from credible organisations

Apple has furthered its efforts to support the fight against the coronavirus pandemic by ensuring the apps on its ecosystem provide the right information, as well as restricting specific content.
In a blog post on Saturday, the Cupertino-based company reassured users that it will spare no effort in ensuring credibility will be maintained in an unprecedented era the world is going through because of Covid-19.
"The App Store should always be a safe and trusted place," Apple said in the post.
"Now, more than ever, takes on special significance as the world fights the Covid-19 pandemic."
Apple will be "critically" evaluating all apps on its ecosystem for this endeavour to ensure data sources are reputable and that developers are presenting content from recognised global entites, such as the World Health Organization, health-focused non-governmental organisations and credentialled companies, among several others.
As a further push, apps categorised as games or entertainment that have Covid-19 as a theme will be prohibited, a step seen to ensure younger users will not be misled.
Developers, meanwhile, are encouraged to utilise the 'Time-Sensitive Event' criteria so that Apple will be able to review their apps and release them to users as the soonest possible time.
As at posting time, there are 156,400 Covid-19 cases confirmed globally. Governments have continued to roll out economic and societal measures in order to curb its further spread.
- alvin@khaleejtimes.com