Apple has cracked down on the Cal AI food-logging app, owned by MyFitnessPal, due to multiple violations of its App Store rules. The app was briefly removed from the store last week after it attempted to skirt Apple's in-app purchase guidelines and employed manipulative tactics. Cal AI had used a third-party service (Stripe) to unlock digital goods, bypassing Apple's in-app purchases.
According to Apple, the app also engaged in deceptive billing practices, including presenting the weekly calculated pricing more prominently than the actual amount billed to users. The company was also found to be using "manipulative tactics", including prompting users who declined a subscription offer with a different purchase flow.
The episode highlights that Apple is still actively policing how developers implement web payments, despite loosening some restrictions after a court ruling in the Epic Games lawsuit. Apple's App Store Guidelines allow U.S.-based developers to link out to external payment systems, but require apps to also offer Apple's in-app purchase option alongside any external link.
Cal AI has since addressed the issues and returned to the App Store, with MyFitnessPal acquiring the company for $50 million in ARR in March. The app currently sits at No. 4 on the App Store's Health & Fitness charts.
