I'll also agree it was bad for them to be deceptive. But it goes to show how stupid the app review process is. If you can alter your app enough that it wouldn't have passed review, by merely changing an external server that doesn't fall under App Store code signing policies, what is the point of the review? Did they even represent that the server would never change? Is that part of the agreement?
I'm open to being corrected on this, as I know very little. It's just a bit ironic that Hacker News so gleefully condemns someone for, well, hacking the app review process (and not in the "cracker" sense.)
It's basically just a web view, they can't do much about it. I have an issue with it because they're making out that they did nothing wrong, where as really they knew they were breaking the rules this whole time.
Why should changing the site a webview points at, be breaking any rules? The whole point of a web page is that it can change and is outside the client. (See below; if there is a rule, I'd be curious to know what it is.) Maybe if Apple didn't want that to change, they shouldn't allow web views.
I'd guess the app was basically a Blockchain.info-only browser with some glue to scan QR codes and other system-integration stuff. If anything, people are even more justified in being pissed with Apple for what amounts to, "OMG, you changed a webpage that our customers use on their devices, without our consent! BAN!"
Again, I acknowledge I don't have all the facts, and that BCI did this with intent to deceive. But it doesn't seem to be actually against any rules; or if it is, they're draconian or nonsensical rules that people are right to be angry with Apple about. One can still be angry with Apple that deception was the only way to get an app a lot of people want, that has no legal reason it can't be in the App Store.
Many Bitcoiners are mad at Apple; a few here think BCI is at fault. I see blame on both sides, but am more upset with Apple. (I do understand Apple can legally do whatever they want with their own store.)
I would be interested to know if there is actually a rule about changes to a backend server after review, and how it is worded. Or any rule that describes exactly what Blockchain.info did wrong. I think such a rule would be written here[0], but I can't read it without an Apple Developer ID.
I'm open to being corrected on this, as I know very little. It's just a bit ironic that Hacker News so gleefully condemns someone for, well, hacking the app review process (and not in the "cracker" sense.)