Home / Markets News & Opinions / Blockchain iPhone App Removed from App Store. Blockchain Responds

Blockchain iPhone App Removed from App Store. Blockchain Responds

Last Updated March 27, 2023 6:09 AM
Neil Sardesai
Last Updated March 27, 2023 6:09 AM

a bunch of different app icons on a white background

a computer screen with a music note on it

Less than an hour ago, Apple pulled Blockchain.info ‘s iPhone app from the App Store without any specific reason. The email that Blockchain CEO Nicolas Cary received stated that the app had been “removed from the App Store due to an unresolved issue.” Interestingly, Blockchain was the only Bitcoin wallet app on the App Store, as other wallet apps such as Coinbase were yanked last year . So at the moment, it looks like there are absolutely no Bitcoin wallet apps on the App Store. So much for that teaser from a few days ago.

a cell phone with a blockchain coming soon on the screen

Coming soon? Probably not at this rate.

In response to their app’s removal, Blockchain published a lengthy response to Apple today.

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward.” – Apple, Inc.

Perhaps Apple should have added a disclaimer: “As long as the ‘rebels’ don’t threaten our profit margin”. The rebels no longer run the show at Apple Inc, the beancounters are now firmly in charge.

On Wednesday February 5th, Apple attempted to strike a devastating blow to the bitcoin ecosystem on iOS by removing “Blockchain”, the last remaining bitcoin wallet app, from the App Store. Offering no explanation and no opportunity to address any issues, without any apparent change in circumstances other than the growing popularity of the independent and competitive payment system, Apple has eradicated their payment competition on iOS and left the bitcoin space entirely to competing mobile OSs like Google’s Android.

These actions by Apple once again demonstrate the anti-competitive and capricious nature of the App Store policies that are clearly focused on preserving Apple’s monopoly on payments rather than based on any consideration of the needs and desires of their users…

You can read the rest of the response here  on the official Blockchain blog. Furthermore, you can sign this petition  to urge Apple to allow Bitcoin wallet apps on the App Store.

Hopefully Apple will reconsider its aggressive anti-Bitcoin stance, because this could force many users to switch to Bitcoin-friendly platforms such as Android.

RelatedNews

 

Apple <> freedom. Why continue to use their products? MT @blockchain : Response to Apple for Removal of App -> http://t.co/5p1kt2PmYU 

— Jesse Vanek (@jvanek1) February 6, 2014