Apple App Store Fraud Prevention: $2B Blocked in 2023

Apple Highlights App Store Fraud Prevention Capabilities

On Tuesday, Apple released updated data detailing the App Store’s effectiveness in safeguarding both app developers and customers against fraudulent activities. The company reports having successfully prevented over $9 billion in fraudulent transactions within the last five years.

2024 Fraud Prevention Statistics

Specifically in 2024, Apple intervened to halt $2 billion in fraudulent transactions. Furthermore, nearly 2 million potentially harmful app submissions were blocked from being published.

The timing of this data release, preceding Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2025), is deliberate. It underscores the advantages of distributing software through the App Store.

Impact of Recent Legal Changes

Following Epic Games’ recent legal victory against Apple concerning App Store antitrust concerns, Apple was mandated to allow U.S. developers to incorporate links to alternative payment systems within their applications, bypassing Apple’s commission structure.

While larger applications like Fortnite, Spotify, and Amazon Kindle have quickly adopted this new functionality, smaller developers are carefully evaluating whether processing payments independently is financially viable. They must weigh the risks of fraud, chargebacks, and refunds – issues Apple currently manages in exchange for a 15%-30% commission on in-app purchases.

Scale of App Store Operations

Apple emphasized the extensive scale of its operations, having prevented over $2 billion in fraudulent transactions within the App Store during 2024 alone. The App Store operates in 175 regions globally and receives an average of more than 813 million weekly visitors.

Beyond Transaction Fraud

The iPhone manufacturer also pointed out that its protection extends beyond simply preventing transaction fraud. Apple actively safeguards users from various malicious activities, including personal data theft, fraudulent account creation, and app piracy.

Account Terminations and Rejections

In 2024, Apple terminated over 146,000 developer accounts due to fraud-related concerns. An additional 139,000 developer enrollment attempts from malicious actors were rejected.

Moreover, the company blocked over 711 million attempts to create fraudulent customer accounts and deactivated nearly 129 million existing customer accounts. Over 10,000 illegitimate applications were also blocked on pirate storefronts, encompassing malware, pornography, gambling apps, and pirated software.

Digital Markets Act Implications

The EU’s Digital Markets Act now permits users within the region to access alternative app stores, including those hosting applications that do not comply with Apple’s policies or seek broader marketing reach. Apple suggests these alternative stores often present increased risks of software piracy and resale.

Apple also reported stopping nearly 4.6 million attempts to install or launch applications outside of the App Store or approved third-party marketplaces.

The Value Proposition of the App Store

Apple consistently maintains that its App Store commissions cover more than just payment processing. They encompass security measures, hosting services, distribution channels, app discovery features, and fraud prevention.

This argument is particularly relevant for smaller app developers, including those benefiting from Apple’s Small Business Program and its reduced 15% commission. Initial data from RevenueCat, a subscription infrastructure provider, suggests that small businesses may not see financial gains from switching to independent payment systems.

Comprehensive App Store Benefits

In its announcement, Apple also provided a detailed overview of other aspects of its App Store business, highlighting benefits for both consumers and developers. This included more granular metrics related to App Review, discovery fraud, payment and credit card fraud, and other key areas.

Ultimately, these figures aim to reinforce the value proposition of the App Store, particularly in a market where developers now have more options for reaching users and monetizing their mobile applications.