iOS App Rejected for Using Pre-selected RSS Feeds

Mike Rundle:

Now I know what was taking so long. Rejected because I use… public RSS feeds like 100 other apps. Thanks, Apple.

Well, Apple denied my appeal. Interesting (simple news app with pre-selected RSS feeds) is no longer allowed under App Store Guidelines.

Their explanation centered around users needing to add the RSS feed themselves (OK) vs. pre-configured list (Not OK.) Makes no sense.

Update (2016-12-10): The app in question is Interesting.

Federico Viticci:

This App Review rejection is lame and makes no sense. No curated news apps? What’s the harm?

John Gruber:

That’s crazy. Surely there are a slew of RSS readers already in the store with default subscription lists.

Mike Rundle:

I can’t even believe this now. People on the App Review Board have potentially never used an app before.

Apple says that any app that loads content from Reddit must open all URLs externally into Safari. Opening inside the app is forbidden.