Updated
Updated · Daring Fireball · Aug 7
Apple Rejects Dark Hours App Over 2 False Astrology and Tarot Claims
Updated
Updated · Daring Fireball · Aug 7

Apple Rejects Dark Hours App Over 2 False Astrology and Tarot Claims

1 articles · Updated · Daring Fireball · Aug 7

Summary

  • Dark Hours, an astronomy app tied to Terry Godier’s website, was rejected from Apple’s App Store and then lost its appeal before the App Review Board.
  • Apple upheld the rejection by saying the app was astrology and included a live tarot reading feature, claims the report says are plainly false after even a brief look at the app.
  • The dispute appears to go beyond a one-word mix-up between astronomy and astrology, because the board repeated the error during escalation instead of reversing the original decision.
  • The case highlights criticism of Apple’s review process as opaque and hard to correct, even when a rejection is based on easily refuted grounds.

Insights

Why did Apple’s rigid review system repeatedly fail to tell the difference between actual astronomy and occult astrology?
How did a high-quality stargazing app get banned by Apple for allegedly dealing tarot cards?