Dash is an off-line documentation browser, popular with developers. This morning, it was gone.
From the Dash for macOS blog:
Earlier today, Apple cancelled my developer account and has removed Dash from the App Store.
What Happened? I don’t know.
Read the post for details. But in a nutshell, Apple pulled the app and canceled the Dash developer account, sending an email saying “the account was terminated due to fraudulent conduct”.
This is a story with two major paths: Either the developer did something to deserve the rug being pulled out from under, something worthy of their developer credentials being cancelled. Or there’s a colossal misunderstanding here. I suspect there’s more to this than meets the eye.
Either way, don’t think this is the way this should have played out.
From the link:
Update: Apple contacted me and told me they found evidence of App Store review manipulation. This is something I’ve never done.
Apple’s decision is final and can’t be appealed.
(I, Steve, am making no judgements here… just sharing the update.)
“Apple’s decision is final and can’t be appealed.”
If anyone, for a single moment, thinks putting your livelihood in the hands of a company capable of that statement is a good idea..
Apple’s response makes this sound like it is the final step in a longer process. At some point there has to be a final step and it looks like the Dash developer reached it. It will be interesting to see if more information comes out.