Apple called out for fake reviews on iOS App Store by Chinese state media

The Chinese App Store is littered with fake reviews, but users and developers say it’s common on Android, too

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Apple called out for fake reviews on iOS App Store by Chinese state media

Xinmei Shen

Published: 10:22pm, 9 Jul 2019Updated: 9:08am, 20 Sep 2019

This article originally appeared on ABACUS

Looking at the comments on any app on China’s iOS App Store, it’s not hard to spot lengthy reviews that don’t actually have anything to do with the app. Now the practice has attracted attention from China’s state media.

In a report from China National Radio, which was picked up by many other Chinese news outlets, the state-owned broadcaster said the iOS App Store has hidden “download scams.” The report argues that the App Store has “serious problems” with fake reviews and apps designed to scam people and claims Apple doesn’t seem to know what to do about it.

The report cites two examples of iOS users buying apps that showed up at the top of search results and had many five-star reviews. However, they were found to be virtually unusable.

“The way they mislead users, isn’t Apple going to do something about it?” the article asks, adding that regulators need to pay attention.

We’ve reached out to Apple for comment but haven’t heard back.

Five-star reviews with comments unrelated to the app are common on China’s iOS App Store. (Picture: Apple, China iOS App Store)

Many users don’t appear to find it surprising, at least the ones commenting on Weibo. It’s common in China to have inflated reviews, some users argued. Others said the problem is not limited to Apple.