Apple Blocks Over $2 Billion in App Store Fraud in 2024 Amid Rising Cyber Threats
Apple has disclosed that it thwarted over $2 billion in fraudulent transactions on its App Store in 2024, highlighting the intensifying battle against cyber threats. This figure contributes to a cumulative $9 billion in fraud prevention since 2019. The company made the announcement through its annual App Store fraud analysis report, underlining its commitment to user safety and the integrity of its global marketplace, which now serves over 813 million weekly visitors across 175 regions.
In response to evolving cybercriminal tactics, Apple implemented a multi-layered approach to detect and combat fraud. In 2024, the company terminated more than 146,000 developer accounts linked to fraud and blocked over 139,000 fraudulent developer enrollment attempts. It also rejected over 711 million suspicious customer account creation attempts and deactivated nearly 129 million existing accounts to prevent spam, fake reviews, and other manipulative activities.
Apple’s efforts extended to fighting the proliferation of malicious apps distributed through unofficial sources. The company detected and blocked over 10,000 illegitimate apps on pirate storefronts, including those featuring malware, pornography, and gambling. Additionally, Apple intercepted 4.6 million attempts to install or launch such illicit apps, which often target unsuspecting users or clone legitimate software.
Maintaining the trustworthiness of app ratings and reviews was also a major focus. In 2024, Apple processed more than 1.2 billion ratings and reviews, removing over 143 million deemed fraudulent. The company also purged thousands of deceptive apps from search results and charts, improving visibility for legitimate developers and enhancing the overall user experience.
Further highlighting the extent of its oversight, Apple revealed it had rejected over 43,000 app submissions for containing hidden or undocumented features. It also blocked more than 320,000 apps that were spammy, misleading, or blatant copies of existing apps. More than 17,000 apps were removed for bait-and-switch tactics designed to trick users. Apple maintains that such rigorous vetting is essential to uphold the safety and fairness of its ecosystem.
Source: Nairametric