Ex-Human Challenges Apple’s App Store Decisions in Court
San Francisco-based AI startup Ex-Human has initiated legal proceedings against Apple, alleging unjust removal of its applications, Botify and Photify AI, from the App Store. The company contends that these actions were arbitrary and accuses Apple of withholding approximately $500,000 in revenue generated by these apps.
Background on the Applications
Botify is an AI-driven companion platform that enables users to engage in conversations with chatbots. The app garnered significant attention when reports emerged about user-created chatbots impersonating underage celebrities and engaging in inappropriate dialogues. For instance, a chatbot mimicking Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of Wednesday Addams allegedly made statements suggesting that age-of-consent laws were meant to be broken. Other instances involved chatbots impersonating younger versions of actresses Emma Watson and Millie Bobby Brown.
Photify AI, on the other hand, allows users to generate images of real individuals in revealing attire without their consent, raising ethical and privacy concerns.
Allegations Against Apple
Ex-Human asserts that Apple removed both applications citing dishonest or fraudulent activity but failed to provide specific instances or evidence supporting these claims. The company emphasizes that its apps continue to be available on the Google Play Store without issues.
The lawsuit highlights that Apple’s App Store business development team had previously recognized Ex-Human as a high-growth developer. Botify reportedly generated monthly revenues of approximately $330,000, while Photify AI brought in around $100,000 per month.
Furthermore, Ex-Human alleges that the removal of Photify AI coincided with Apple’s promotion of its own Image Playground, suggesting potential anticompetitive behavior.
Context of App Store Policies and Developer Relations
This lawsuit is part of a broader pattern of developers challenging Apple’s App Store policies and decisions. In recent years, several developers have filed lawsuits against Apple, alleging unfair practices, antitrust violations, and inconsistent enforcement of App Store guidelines.
For instance, in 2025, Proton, the developer behind Proton Mail, sued Apple in the United States, claiming that Apple’s App Store model violated antitrust laws by imposing restrictive rules and high commission rates on developers. Similarly, in 2021, the developer of FlickType, a keyboard app for the Apple Watch, filed a lawsuit accusing Apple of monopolistic behavior and failing to address App Store scams.
These cases underscore the ongoing tension between Apple and developers over App Store policies, revenue sharing, and the balance between platform control and fostering innovation.
Implications and Industry Reactions
The outcome of Ex-Human’s lawsuit could have significant implications for the tech industry, particularly concerning the power dynamics between platform owners and developers. A ruling in favor of Ex-Human might prompt Apple to reevaluate its App Store policies and provide more transparency in its app review and removal processes.
Industry observers note that while platform owners have the right to enforce guidelines to ensure user safety and content quality, the lack of transparency and perceived arbitrariness in enforcement can stifle innovation and harm developer relations.
As the case progresses, it will be closely watched by developers, legal experts, and policymakers, as it may set a precedent for how platform owners manage app ecosystems and interact with third-party developers.
