Hi Apple Developer Forum brains trust.
I'd love some ideas on what I should do to overcome an app store rejection of my app related to guideline 1.1.6.
It is a Halloween prank app, where a sound is played automatically when a trick-or-treat visitor comes to the user's home. The sounds can be chosen to be either a Sesame Street style Count counting the visitors ("1 hahaha 2 hahaha etc."), a horror-movie style female scream, or a monster roar/growl.
The app was rejected, then I added some measure to ensure any visitors would be aware of the devices. Every 10 seconds, the torch of the phone would flash so it was clear where the camera was, and a soft noise was made so that visitors knew a speaker was present. However, after I made these changes and resubmitted, the same rejection came back. So, I am missing something.
The app is like many of the existing prank/meme soundboard apps already in the store, but the sounds are not "realistic", e.g. no gunshots or barking dogs or airhorns, and the sounds play automatically when trick-or-treaters approach.
I just don't know where I am potentially deceiving users. Please share any ideas what I should do before my next re-submission.
Here is the full text of the rejection:
Hello,
The issues we previously identified still need your attention.
If you have any questions, we are here to help. Reply to this message in App Store Connect and let us know.
Review Environment
Submission ID: [removed]
Review date: October 15, 2024
Version reviewed: 1.0
Guideline 1.1.6 - Safety - Objectionable Content
The app still includes trick or joke functionality which is intended to or may be used to deceive users.
Please note that adding a disclaimer to the app description is not sufficient if the rest of the metadata and the app could be misleading.
Next Steps
Revise the app so that it may not be used to deceive users.
Resources
Learn more about requirements for false information and features in guideline 1.1.6.
