Apple removes “vision testing” app that allows users to watch pirated movies
Unsplash: @tracminhvuApple has removed a “vision testing” app that was going viral on the App Store due to the fact it allows users to watch copyrighted movies illegally.
With thousands of apps making their way to the Apple App Store each day, there’s no telling what could slip through the cracks of the company’s approval process.
If an app gets approved by Apple that actually breaks the App Stores guidelines, however, the Cupertino company is pretty quick to remove the program.
Kiwi, a vision testing app, recently made its way to the Top 10 trending apps list before being removed after users found what the app was actually being used for.
Kiwi “vision testing” app was actually filled with piracy
On February 13, 2024, The Verge reported about the Kiwi app after seeing the brand-new app make its way to the top of the Apple App Store without many people publicly talking about it.
Marketed as vision testing app, Kiwi had a simple description that said: “an interesting app that tests your eyesight.” However, they said that reviews for the app mentioned watching pirated movies and tv shows.
In Netflix like-fashion, Kiwi offered the ability to watch pirated movies and tv shows from various sources once installed like Saltburn, Under Doggs, and The Hill.
Shortly after The Verge posted their report, however, Apple removed the app from the App Store. It’s unknown how something of its kind could make it past the review process in the first place, but it’s safe to say Apple’s going to be looking into making sure it doesn’t happen again.
