Apple’s response to Dash removal from App Store, request for clarification

First read this morning’s post, about the Dash Mac app being suddenly removed from the App Store.

This afternoon, Dash updated their blog with this chilling message:

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.

Certainly, only Kapeli (the Dash developer) and Apple know if there was any App Store review manipulation. But this feels heavy-handed. Dash is a tool used by lots of developers. Not only does this hurt Dash, but it hurts the developers who use it. And this is being done, seemingly, without due process.

One thing for sure, there is a big wave of developer response to Kapeli’s blog post and all of it (at least what I’ve seen) is supportive of Kapeli. That should tell Apple to take another look at the evidence. Dash just doesn’t seem like it needs App Store review manipulation.