Apple reverses its earlier decision to take off the macOS utility Amphetamine from the App Store and instead allows the app to stay on.
Apple backtracks on its previous decision to remove the app Amphetamine, a macOS utility software, from the App Store. Earlier, the company threatened to remove the app from the App store as it appears to promote the inappropriate use of a controlled substance. Recently, however, Apple announced that the app could stay for the time being.
The Cupertino-based tech giant does have some basis in considering the removal of the macOS utility app. Anyone who hears the word "Amphetamine" would immediately think about a type of controlled substance that is often abused. If you search the word online, the top ten search results talk about an addictive, synthetic, mood-altering drug often used illegally as a stimulant and legally as a prescription medication to treat adults with narcolepsy and children with attention deficit disorder. Nowhere in the top search results would you find Amphetamine being described as a macOS utility app that you can download from Apple's App Store, which is the main reason why the Cupertino tech giant considered removing it. Today, Apple reversed its earlier decision and allowed the macOS utility Amphetamine to stay in the App Store.
Industry observers believe that the description of the macOS utility Amphetamine on the App Store perhaps fueled the previous decision of Apple to remove the app, though recently the company appeared to backpedal on its earlier verdict and is now allowing the macOS utility app to stay in the App Store. If you look up Amphetamine on the App Store, you would come across its page that states "Welcome to Amphetamine, the most awesome keep-awake utility ever created for macOS." This may look innocent enough for many but when you read about the highly-addictive Amphetamine drug, you will see that it also keeps awake for long periods those who take it.
Apple threatens to remove Amphetamine app for violating app store guidelines, later reverses decision https://t.co/mmyqbFXajM — IndiaTodayTech (@IndiaTodayTech) January 4, 2021
Additionally, the app's description on the App Store also states, "Amphetamine can keep your Mac, and optionally its display, awake through a super simple on/off switch, or automatically through easy-to-configure Triggers." Looking at it closely, the macOS utility Amphetamine appears to describe the state of consciousness that users of the drug Amphetamine also experience. This may have contributed to the earlier verdict of Apple to remove the macOS utility Amphetamine app from the App Store, a decision that has been reversed as of today.
When Apple informed William Gustafson, the developer of the macOS utility Amphetamine, last December of its decision to remove the app from the App Store for appearing to promote the inappropriate use of a type of controlled substance, he admitted getting surprised. A representative of the Cupertino tech giant cited an Apple Store guideline stating that "Apps that encourage consumption of tobacco or vape products, illegal drugs, or excessive amounts of alcohol are not permitted on the App Store. Apps that encourage minors to consume any of these substances will be rejected. Facilitating the sale of marijuana, tobacco, or controlled substances (except for licensed pharmacies) isn't allowed." Gustafson immediately appealed and upon reviewing the appeal, Apple reversed its decision to remove the macOS utility app Amphetamine from the App Store.
