Ex-Human, the startup behind Botify and Photify AI, has sued Apple after the company removed both apps from the App Store and withheld about $500,000 in revenue, according to the lawsuit. The developer says Apple used vague claims of “dishonest or fraudulent activity” without showing what actually triggered the bans, and now wants a court order that would restore the apps and release the withheld funds.
The case puts fresh attention on how Apple handles App Store enforcement, especially when a smaller developer says it received no clear explanation. Ex-Human argues that both apps were growing quickly before Apple removed them, with Botify reportedly bringing in about $330,000 a month and Photify AI generating roughly $100,000 a month. The company also says its apps remain available on Google Play, which it uses to question Apple’s decision.
Don’t miss the best of The Mac Observer
Set us as a preferred source and our Apple reporting ranks higher in your Google Search results and Discover feed — one tap, no account changes.
Ex-Human says Apple acted unfairly
According to the San Francisco Business Times, Ex-Human claims Apple used “arbitrary” enforcement to block a rising competitor and refused to explain what specific conduct led to the removals.
“Apple has not identified any particular transactions, user activity or application behavior that formed the basis of its determination.” – Ex-Human complaint
That line sits at the center of the case, because Ex-Human says repeated appeals and attempts to get clarity led nowhere. The startup also claims Apple once viewed it as a “high-growth developer,” which makes the sudden removals look even more severe from its side of the dispute.
Controversy around Botify and Photify AI
According to MIT Technology Review, Botify previously drew criticism because some user-created chatbots reportedly posed as underage celebrities and engaged in sexually explicit conversations. That history gives Apple a clear context for concern, even though Ex-Human says Apple still failed to explain the exact reason behind its enforcement action.
Photify AI has also faced criticism over tools that users could exploit to create revealing images of real people without consent. In the lawsuit, Ex-Human further argues that Apple removed Photify while promoting Image Playground, which the company presents as a competing product. That claim adds an anticompetitive angle to a case that already raises bigger questions about App Store power and developer access.
Discussion