Submission Rejected, Guidelin 5.1.1

Question

Created Jun ’25

Replies 2

Boosts 0

Participants 3

We are trying to post a local news app. We want it to be a customized version of our news website, displaying news, agenda, local shop offers etc filtered by the towns and interests the user selects. The user needs to register first so that we can create a profile with their interests and filter the content accordingly.

We've tried to explain this in several different ways, but the answer is always the same: "We understand that you provide customized news to your customers. However, they should still be able to access the news articles prior to registration and only prompted to register once they decide to customize their news feed."

The app's specific purpose is offering customized content, and we need the users to register for that customization. If we can't offer the customized filtering, the app has no sense for us.

Anyone in a similar situation or any tip on h ow to explain this to App Review?

Thanks in advance!

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Answer 1

App Review OP

Apple

Jun ’25

Thank you for your post. If you disagree with the outcome of the review, we recommend submitting an appeal to the App Review Board. When filing your appeal, make sure to:

Provide specific reasons why you believe your app complies with the App Review Guidelines.
Submit only one appeal per rejection.
Respond to any requests for additional information before submitting an appeal.

Once you have submitted the appeal we can escalate it to the App Review Board for review. The App Review Board will contact you directly as soon as they've completed their investigation.

0

Answer 2

darkpaw OP

4w

The app's specific purpose is offering customized content, and we need the users to register for that customization. If we can't offer the customized filtering, the app has no sense for us.

Why can't you just show the news articles without someone registering? The USP is that your app allows the user to customise their news, and to do that they have to register, so just explain that in the app. Show all the news articles, and tell the user that if they register they can customise what they see. Explain how they can hide sports stories if they aren't interested in sports, or hide politics if they don't want to see politics stories. That seems quite simple to do.

Personally, any app forcing me to register before I can see what the app looks and how it works is a definite no-no. It's a poor user experience.

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