Encrypted Messaging Service Cryptocat’s iPhone App Rejected

Earlier this year a fellow called Edward Snowden made some earth shattering revelations about the various electronic spying programs of the NSA. The leaked documents listed a number of globally recognized companies such as Apple, Google and Yahoo, though the companies initially denied having any knowledge of the agency’s programs. Interest in encrypted messaging services surged after these revelations, which is when Cryptocat’s popularity reached new heights. iPhone users waiting for an app should give up on waiting, Apple has rejected Cryptocat’s app for its smartphones.

Cryptocat is popular due to its ease of use, it simply lets two users exchange messages using end-to-end encryption. Nadim Kobeissi, who developed the app, was quite vocal on Twitter against Apple’s decision to reject the app. Since he’s bound to a non-disclosure agreement which is part and parcel of the Apple developer program, he can’t go into details as to why the app was not approved, but he believes that the reasons he was given were “illegitimate.” However, it is interesting to note that Cryptocat is available for download from the Mac App Store, which has similar guidelines for developers as the iOS App Store. So perhaps it really doesn’t have to do with Apple’s reluctance in approving Cryptocat for iPhone, perhaps it really has found something during the approval process which has compelled it enough to stop it from being listed on the App Store. Kobeissi, on the other hand, is “seriously considering lawyering up.”

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Apple, Cellphones
Tags: mac app store