Every developer knows that Apple has strict guidelines for its App store. While some applications are rejected for ridiculous reasons, one App, IS Drive made it through all of the hoops that Apple requires. The notable thing about IS Drive making it through the process is that IS Drive is a BitTorrent App.
Apple clearly defines that BitTorrent clients are not allowed on the App Store as the client is typically "used for the purpose of infringing third party rights". So did IS Drive sneak through the process to only be pulled as soon as the news spreads or is Apple having a change of heart? The most likely answer is that it slipped though the cracks because the application is cleverly designed.
According to Torrentfreak.com, "the application allows users of Imageshack’s torrent download service to control and add torrent downloads through a handy interface. In addition, the App shows screenshots of completed video downloads." The target of this app is for premium ImageShack Torrent Drive users but the approval raises many questions as Apple typically rejects all applications that even smell like BitTorrent clients.
The IS drive app allows for users to queue up uploads and downloads to your IS Drive account while on the go and this app allows users to do exactly that. While currently you can't add your own sources, the author may do so in the future. As he states, "I’ll probably add a search feature where it’s up to the user to manually add the torrent site they want. The app will not be designed to easily break the law and I hope no one intends to do so. But if a user is determined to break the law, what business is that of mine or Apple’s? They could do the same in Safari anyway, right?"
While its doubtful that we will see pure BitTorrent clients on the App Store anytime soon, this could hopefully be a step in the right direction as torrents can be used for good when used appropriately.
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