Apple Does not Like Criticisms

Couple of weeks ago, we already reported about the disappointment of some developers facing rejection of their application submission to the AppStore, without any further explanation. As expected, more and more developers are criticizing such unilateral decision, and started to expose it publicly. As usual when it comes to potential danger for its image and how the company could be criticized, Apple promptly reacted, and added a short sentence in its rejection letter:

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MESSAGE IS UNDER NON-DISCLOSURE

Of course such message aims to prevent developers to publicly announce that their last application designed for the iPhone was rejected. So now, developers have to deal with their anger of not been listed in the AppStore and not being able to complain. Great...
The most amazing point for us is to see how some Mac-dedicated websites (especially in US) seem to be surprised by Apple's reaction to a relatively minor point dealing with undefined rejection policies. Indeed, as we could experience it, Apple is used to such maneuvers, and since Macbidouille and Hardmac are online we have learned to live with it.
Apple does not stand criticisms and prefer to have polished and shinny communication policies, indicating to journalist and news networks when it is time to applause. If you refuse to follow the rules defined (but not necessarily publicly available) by Apple you will immediately be flamed. Developers having their applications rejected and publicly complaining about such decision will most likely never have any applications selected for the AppStore, without mentioning that websites or news networks reporting such events might be black-listed by Cupertino. As an example, Apple does not send us its press release anymore, even though we know what it is supposed to be written days or weeks before...
Of course, Apple is NOT the only company to behave as such, other big corporates have a tendency to get all complains silenced before it can affect overall company's communication policies. While Apple is renowned for its excellent customer service and its policies to help Mac users, it can also behave very strongly and burn itself while trying to control the growing fire. Part of Apple employees are between the ground and the hammer, having the choice of being blamed for not reacting or reacting inappropriately. Of course, we know that the pressure is high at Cupertino, and they are all afraid of hearing the famous sentence: "you are Steved", the local way to let you know that you are fired...