Software giant Apple has removed 1,000 apps from its online catalogue after it discovered a potential scheme by the apps’ developer to boost its ratings.
The development studio, Molinker, has had its whole catalogue removed from the store, with apps ranging from travel guides and instant messaging programs to camera apps.
The blog iPhoneography was contacted by one developer, who said he had noticed unusually high reviews for some of Molinker’s apps. An email was sent to Apple vice president of product marketing Phil Schiller, who investigated the matter.
“Yes, this developer’s apps have been removed from the App Store and their ratings no longer appear either,” Schiller said in an email to the iPhone blog.
The App Store has become incredibly large with over 100,000 apps, and it is likely Molinker was attempting to increase its standing in the store by artificially boosting its rates.
The App Store rating system has come under scrutiny from many users, as an app may have an average one-star rating but actually have good reviews.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
