Various companies have been accused of misusing Apple’s Enterprise Certificate Program offered to them. In case you aren’t aware, this program allow companies to equip employees with apps, giving organizations a convenient way to distribute apps without having to worry about Apple’s public processes.
However, a recent investigation conducted by TechCrunch discovered that countless apps have started abusing this program, as services offered by them are immoral, unethical, and even illegal (porn, gambling, etc.), and would have definitely been blocked, if they were required to pass through the App Store approval process. However, with the help of Enterprise Certificate Program, they can get an easy pass.
In addition to that, it was also concluded that it is possible for a firm to hide its identity by using another firm’s details. The details can be easily fetched from Google. Thus, the Process can lead to something catastrophic, if it gets in the wrong hands.
Apple has acknowledged this situation and has issued a warning to those who violate their Developer Enterprise Program Agreement. According to Apple, the violation will not only result in the termination of such Developers’ certificates, but it will also result in their removal from the Developer Program entirely. Apple has also assured that constant monitoring of any kind of misuses of this program, is in effect.
Surprisingly, Facebook and Google were both under fire a while ago for using the certificate process to distribute apps to consumers, that didn’t completely follow the App Store guidelines. Their access to the Program was revoked, only to be restored later. With a huge chip on their shoulders, being two of the biggest tech-related companies, it’s high time Google and Facebook start acting carefully with the types of apps they plan on providing.
Photo: Shutterstock
Read Next: Apple’s enterprise program continues to face challenges, now deals with pirated apps
However, a recent investigation conducted by TechCrunch discovered that countless apps have started abusing this program, as services offered by them are immoral, unethical, and even illegal (porn, gambling, etc.), and would have definitely been blocked, if they were required to pass through the App Store approval process. However, with the help of Enterprise Certificate Program, they can get an easy pass.
In addition to that, it was also concluded that it is possible for a firm to hide its identity by using another firm’s details. The details can be easily fetched from Google. Thus, the Process can lead to something catastrophic, if it gets in the wrong hands.
Related: A Bug On macOS Can Secretly Accessing Your Safari Browsing HistoryLet’s come to the numbers now. The investigation unraveled that 12 real-money gambling and 12 porn apps, using the Enterprise Certificate process, managed to get installed in a regular un-jailbroken iPhone. What’s quite concerning is that such kinds of apps are banned under the guidelines set by App Store.
Apple has acknowledged this situation and has issued a warning to those who violate their Developer Enterprise Program Agreement. According to Apple, the violation will not only result in the termination of such Developers’ certificates, but it will also result in their removal from the Developer Program entirely. Apple has also assured that constant monitoring of any kind of misuses of this program, is in effect.
Surprisingly, Facebook and Google were both under fire a while ago for using the certificate process to distribute apps to consumers, that didn’t completely follow the App Store guidelines. Their access to the Program was revoked, only to be restored later. With a huge chip on their shoulders, being two of the biggest tech-related companies, it’s high time Google and Facebook start acting carefully with the types of apps they plan on providing.
Photo: Shutterstock
Read Next: Apple’s enterprise program continues to face challenges, now deals with pirated apps
