I thought MS had committed to better "policing" of the phone app store?

[ShaneRay]

Didn't Microsoft publicly commit to taking a more active approach in vetting apps?

I haven't seen any sign of that yet.

As an example, if I look at the New+Rising chart, 3 of the first 13 are obvious fake Avast Antivirus apps. What's even more annoying is any attempt to report them results in an error. This is on WP 8.1.

So, is it a case of MS not getting it done, or is it a case of the "old" store being forgotten as they move over to universal apps and the new store of Windows 10? Either way, it's frustrating as hell. What does it say about the app store when I refuse to even try an app unless It's been reviewed, or mentioned, by a reputable source elsewhere?

Anyway...my rant for the day. Do with it what you will....

 

[xandros9]

I don't know what's going on and or why but I just want to say I endorse this post wholeheartedly.

 

[Pete]

I raised this point with Microsoft recently when I reported a bunch of apps that streamed mainstream Hollywood films (blatantly put the titles in the screen caps in the store too).

Microsoft's position is that if there's any copyright theft, then the original owner of that material should be the party that has to file a complaint or take relevant action. Even though there are some obvious fakes/copies in the store, you can kind of appreciate that Microsoft can't spend time tracking down the legalities behind each app store submission.

Users are encouraged to report any rogue apps using the "report app" button and/or contact the original copyright/trademark owner and suggest that they take action to protect their property.

 

[ShaneRay]

...Even though there are some obvious fakes/copies in the store, you can kind of appreciate that Microsoft can't spend time tracking down the legalities behind each app store submission....

(Not arguing with you here...)

I guess from my point of view, as a customer, they should be spending the time. With the resources that they have available, there should be an approval process (of some type) for each new app. I'm talking a largely manual process here with a team of engineers.

Right or wrong, I believe any app store needs to be easily trusted. A walled garden, I guess. And I believe the average, non-technical, user carries that belief as, after all, that's how the stores are presented to them.

Anyway, I have no idea what MS is doing, or planning to do, behind the scenes going forward. I can only comment on my current experience as a customer...and it's not good. And hasn't been for quite sometime.

 

[RumoredNow]

I see several "IMO clients" on the New + Rising App list... Those can't be real. Look at the permissions on these fakes. They are all the same: access everything.