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  • Microsoft Removes 1500 Bad Apps From Its Store
Technology Articles > Software > Security & Privacy > Microsoft Removes 1500 Bad Apps From Its Store

Microsoft had a big app problem. The company was receiving multiple complaints about falsely advertised apps that were available through Microsoft’s app store. In order to appease users, Microsoft has recently removed 1500 apps from the store in addition to releasing a new set of rules for developers to follow. The developer that did not want to abide by those rules were shown the door.

The New Microsoft Development Rules

Microsoft’s new set of rules isn’t that ridiculous. The company has told developers that app names must reflect exactly what the app does, and descriptions of apps cannot be misleading - those sound like really straightforward rules, right? Well, 1500 developers didn’t want to comply, and apps created by those developers were removed from the app store.

The other rule that Microsoft put in place was also simple - app logos cannot look like other app logos for the sole purpose of luring users. Obviously, the developers that did not want to comply with these rules did so because the apps they have created exist only to trick people - which was the problem to begin with.

Apps Already Downloaded

What about the apps that people have already downloaded? Those apps that purposely mislead users? Well, Microsoft doesn’t want to leave any kind of bad taste in user mouths, so the company has announced that it will refund any amount of money used to purchase misleading apps. To date, a lot of money has been sent back to users.

Microsoft claims that most developers have agreed with the new terms, but there are some that did not comply, and those developers are no longer able to create apps for the Microsoft store. Why has Microsoft been dealing with so many bad apps and tricky developers? The company hasn’t kept a close eye on what apps are placed in the store, and this results in many different bad apps appearing.

A Closer Watch

From this point forward, Microsoft will make sure to thoroughly review every app that’s in the app store, so that users are not duped into buying an app that does not do what it says it will do. Additionally, the company has told press that it will speed up the time it takes to review apps. Hopefully, more developer will create apps for Microsoft now that the store has been cleaned up, and serious app developers only are welcome.

BlackBerry faces a similar problem with a lack of apps, or apps that do not do what they are supposed to do. The difference here is that BlackBerry has not made any effort to put a stop to bad apps. If you do have a Microsoft device, and you’ve paid for a bad app, make sure to contact the company in order to obtain a refund. You should be able to find refund information on Microsoft’s main webpage, but you will have to show that you purchased a misleading app (which shouldn’t be too hard given the fact that most apps in the available store were rather misleading before this cleanup!).