Apple has taken action to remove an AI-powered content generator app that was impersonating Meta’s Threads app, after it gained popularity and appeared in the top charts. The app, called Threads for Insta and developed by SocialKit TLD, allowed users to create posts using AI models. It became popular in countries like Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands before Apple removed it from the App Store. The developer account of SocialKit TLD has been suspended as well.
According to Sensor Tower, an analytics firm, the app had gained 300,000 downloads within a short period, primarily from EU-based users. The app had reached the overall top 20 charts in the iOS app store in various European countries. The timing of the app’s appearance coincided with the launch of Meta’s Threads app. While there are other apps with similar names and functionality on the App Store, they have not achieved the same level of popularity.
This issue is not limited to the App Store alone. Prior to the launch of Instagram’s Threads app on July 6, there were already impersonating apps circulating on the Play Store, which were later removed by Google.
Copying popular apps is not a new trend on the App Store. Earlier this year, several apps took advantage of OpenAI’s lack of an official ChatGPT app by using ChatGPT in their name. At that time, OpenAI did not even have an official ChatGPT API.
Reponses to these incidents have been seen recently, with Twitter threatening to sue Meta for allegedly poaching employees. In response, Meta clarified that none of the Threads engineering team members were former Twitter employees.
It is important for platforms like Apple and Google to take swift action against such impersonating apps to protect users and maintain the integrity of their app stores.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to the Above News
What was the AI-powered content generator app that Apple removed from the top charts?
The app was called Threads for Insta and it was developed by SocialKit TLD.
Why did Apple remove the Threads for Insta app?
Apple took action to remove the app because it was impersonating Meta's official Threads app.
How popular did the impersonating app become before it was removed?
According to Sensor Tower, the app gained 300,000 downloads within a short period and reached the overall top 20 charts in the iOS app store in various European countries.
Were there similar impersonating apps on the App Store?
While there were other apps with similar names and functionality, they did not achieve the same level of popularity as the Threads for Insta app.
Did Google face a similar issue with impersonating apps?
Yes, prior to the launch of Instagram's Threads app, there were impersonating apps circulating on the Play Store, which were later removed by Google.
Has this trend of copying popular apps happened before on the App Store?
Yes, earlier this year, there were apps that took advantage of OpenAI's lack of an official ChatGPT app and used ChatGPT in their name.
How did Meta respond to Twitter's threat to sue them?
Meta clarified that none of the Threads engineering team members were former Twitter employees in response to Twitter's claim of employee poaching.
Why is it important for platforms like Apple and Google to take action against impersonating apps?
It is important for these platforms to protect users and maintain the integrity of their app stores by swiftly removing impersonating apps.
Please note that the FAQs provided on this page are based on the news article published. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is always recommended to consult relevant authorities or professionals before making any decisions or taking action based on the FAQs or the news article.
