Hi everyone,
Our app helps users block adult websites to promote focus and digital wellness. During the App Store review, it was flagged under Guideline 2.5.1 for using a VPN profile to block content, with Apple advising us to remove this feature.
Since blocking adult content is core to our app, we’re looking for compliant alternatives:
Can Network Extensions Framework (e.g., NEDNSProxyProvider) be used for on-device filtering? Would pre-configured safe DNS (e.g., CleanBrowsing) be acceptable? Are there compliant examples of similar apps? Any advice on achieving this functionality within Apple’s guidelines would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Can … NEDNSProxyProvider … be used for on-device filtering?
Yes. Although you’d usually use a content filter for this.
But, and this is a big but, both of these providers have significant deployment restrictions. See TN3134 Network Extension provider deployment for the details.
Would pre-configured safe DNS (e.g., CleanBrowsing) be acceptable? Are there compliant examples of similar apps?
I don’t work for App Review and can’t comment on their policies. If, after reading TN3134, you decide to start down this path, I recommend that you raise this with App Review directly.
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Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
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