At Amazon’s request, an app that detects fake product reviews has been removed from the Apple App Store

Fakespot, an app that analyzes reviews on Amazon’s site to determine which ones are fake, is no longer available to iOS users. Amazon was able to convince Apple to remove it from the App Store. According to Amazon, the app provides misleading information and potential security vulnerabilities. What’s more, the e-commerce giant claims that Fakespot is “injecting its code” into Amazon’s website. This supposedly in theory allows the app to collect data and compromise sensitive customer information, including credit card numbers.

Amazon said in a statement that “the app provides customers with misleading information about our sellers and their products, harms the business of our sellers, and poses a potential security threat. We appreciate that Apple has reviewed this app for App Store guidelines. “

Saoud Khalifah, founder and CEO of the company that released Fakespot, admitted that the program collects some user data, but he assured that the company does not sell this information to third parties. In addition, he denies Amazon’s claim that the app is a security risk.

Amazon claims to have violated App Store policies. One of them says that an application displaying the content of a third-party service must receive its permission. Another rule prevents applications from displaying false information.

Apple has yet to release a statement explaining exactly why the Fakespot app has been removed from the store, but an Apple spokesperson has already told the source that the company reached out to Fakespot a few weeks before removing the app, allowing time for Fakespot and Amazon to settle differences.