Apple Reports $2 Billion in Fraud Prevented in 2024 as App Store Security Measures Intensify

In its fifth annual fraud prevention report, Apple revealed that it successfully blocked over $9 billion worth of fraudulent transactions since 2019, with more than $2 billion thwarted in 2024 alone. Aimed at preserving the integrity of the App Store, the company rejected nearly 2 million app submissions in 2024 that failed to meet its standards. These included over 400,000 apps for privacy concerns and another 320,000 flagged for misleading or spam-like behavior.

Apple took further steps by removing more than 37,000 apps involved in fraudulent activity and rejecting 43,000 others that contained hidden or undocumented features. In addition, the company terminated over 146,000 developer accounts for fraudulent practices and blocked 139,000 attempted developer enrollments.

To combat consumer fraud, Apple deactivated nearly 129 million customer accounts and prevented the creation of 711 million others, often used to manipulate app ratings or post fake reviews. Apple’s protective actions extended beyond the App Store, targeting pirate storefronts and unauthorized installations, stopping 4.6 million such attempts.

Financially, the company identified 4.7 million stolen credit cards and banned 1.6 million related accounts. It also removed 143 million fake reviews and ratings, as well as thousands of deceptive apps from search results and charts, enhancing overall platform security.

Apple highlighted that all Apple Pay transactions are protected with unique transaction codes and device-specific numbers, ensuring sensitive data is not stored or shared. These measures underscore Apple’s comprehensive approach to maintaining user trust and App Store safety.