The practice of rigging app store removals as a means of increasing launch-hype is becoming an increasingly utilized marketing technique for apps. The "Hey" e-mail app successfully used this tactic recently. This marketing technique is a form of social engineering and fraud that spurs artificial discourse regarding well-known legal hurdles affecting apps. App developers then re-publish a compliant app that capitalizes on the very marketplace that the app developer and their pool of new users claim some deep-seated issue with. The old switcheroo!
What does a compliant version of iSH look like? I'm not sure this marketing technique applies here as complying would defeat the entire purpose of the application, so it seems like they're just going to let come what may with regards to removal.
“Hey” very clearly gamed an Apple TOS violation to increase the visibility of their project as a marketing stunt during its launch. This practice is becoming increasingly common as companies try to position themselves as being relatable to average users. It’s free publicity, integrates into a hotly debated topic poll, and garners a lot of commentary which can be easily driven by shills.
