Apple store blocked $9bn in fraudulent transactions in 5 years, $2bn in 2024 alone

Apple has announced that its App Store prevented over $9 billion in fraudulent transactions over the past five years, including more than $2 billion in 2024 alone, as it continues to position itself as a secure and reliable platform for developers and consumers. The tech giant also blocked nearly 2 million risky app submissions from being published last year, underscoring its robust efforts to combat fraud and protect its ecosystem.

The announcement, made just days before Apple’s annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC 2025), comes at a critical time as developers face new choices in payment processing and app distribution due to recent legal and regulatory changes.

In a press release earlier today, Apple highlighted the scale of its fraud prevention efforts, noting that the App Store, operational in 175 regions and attracting over 813 million weekly visitors, is a cornerstone of its commitment to user safety.

The company’s App Review team, comprising over 500 experts, evaluated at least 150,000 app submissions weekly in 2024, rejecting 1.9 million for failing to meet standards for security, reliability, and user experience. Of these, 400,000 were rejected for privacy violations, 320,000 for spam, copycat behaviour, or misleading practices, and 43,000 for containing hidden features designed to bypass initial screening.

Additionally, Apple removed 17,000 apps for “bait-and-switch” tactics, where seemingly harmless apps concealed risky functionalities like illegal gambling or predatory loan schemes.

Apple’s fraud prevention extends beyond app vetting to payment security. In 2024, the company blocked 4.7 million stolen credit cards from being used for fraudulent purchases and banned 1.6 million accounts from future transactions. Apple Pay and StoreKit, used by over 420,000 apps, ensure that credit card details are never shared with developers, reducing the risk of data breaches.

The company also processed 1.2 billion ratings and reviews, removing 143 million fraudulent ones to maintain trust in its ecosystem.

The timing of Apple’s announcement is strategic, coinciding with increased scrutiny and regulatory changes affecting its App Store policies. Following a high-profile legal battle with Fortnite maker Epic Games, Apple was compelled to allow U.S. developers to link to alternative payment methods within their apps, bypassing Apple’s 15%-30% commission on in-app purchases. While major players like Fortnite, Spotify, and Amazon Kindle have quickly adopted this option, smaller developers remain cautious.

Bypassing Apple’s payment system could make developers vulnerable

Apple’s data suggests that bypassing its payment system could expose developers to significant risks, including fraud, chargebacks, and refunds, issues that Apple handles as part of its commission structure. Early data from RevenueCat, a subscription infrastructure provider, indicates that small businesses, particularly those in Apple’s Small Business Program with a reduced 15% commission, may not see financial benefits from managing their own payments due to these risks.

The European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), effective in 2024, has further reshaped the app distribution landscape by allowing alternative app stores in the region. Apple warns that these platforms often host pirated apps, malware, and other prohibited content, such as pornography or illegal gambling apps.

In 2024, Apple blocked over 10,000 illegitimate apps on pirate shopfronts and stopped 4.6 million attempts to install or launch apps outside the App Store or approved third-party marketplaces. The company argues that its rigorous review process, combining automated systems and human oversight, offers unmatched protection compared to alternative marketplaces, which may only undergo basic notarisation without content checks.

Apple’s efforts also include cracking down on fraudulent accounts. In 2024, it terminated 146,000 developer accounts and rejected 139,000 enrolments for fraud concerns while blocking 711 million fraudulent customer account creations and deactivating 129 million accounts for abusive activity. These measures aim to prevent bad actors from exploiting users through tactics like data theft, phishing, or pirating legitimate apps.

As Apple prepares for WWDC 2025, set to begin June 9, where it will unveil iOS 19, macOS 16, and new features, the company is reinforcing its narrative that the App Store’s value extends beyond payment processing to include security, hosting, and discovery. For smaller developers, the message is clear: the costs of going it alone may outweigh the benefits, especially in a digital landscape increasingly fraught with sophisticated threats.