App Store Stopped $2.2 Billion in Fraudulent Transactions

Apple reported it has blocked over $2.2 billion in potentially fraudulent App Store transactions in 2025. The company stated it has also rejected more than 2 million app submissions.

Outlining the impact of its safety measures, Apple highlighted fraudsters had evolved their methods in recent times, with tactics now including the implementation of bot networks to create fake accounts, spam users, or generate bogus reviews. It stated that 1.1 billion customer account creations deemed fraudulent were rejected, and a further 40 million were deactivated for fraud and abuse.

On the developer side, it terminated 193,000 accounts and rejected 138,000 enrolment attempts. It blocked 28,000 apps deemed to be on pirate storefronts, including fake versions of legitimate applications and those peddling malware, pornography, and gambling. “As the digital landscape expands, malicious actors continue to evolve their methods, often using deceptive tactics to target consumers and legitimate businesses,” the company noted.

“To outpace these challenges, Apple continuously improves its multi-layered defences,” stating it used a “combination of expert human review and advanced machine learning technologies to detect and stop malicious activity,” Apple added. Apple has regularly cited the protections its app marketplace offers in battles with competition regulators in response to pushes in several countries for alternatives to be offered on the company’s devices.