App Store 1.7 rejection: Reporting criminal activity

A community reporting feature can trigger 1.7 even if you don’t describe the app as a police service. Apple requires involvement from local law enforcement, and the app can only offer this reporting in locations where that involvement is active.

Check the report’s destination

Follow a sample report from submission to receipt. Which law-enforcement organization is involved, what does it receive, and where does that arrangement apply? We’d document the actual handoff rather than relying on a general statement that reports “help authorities.”

Check the locations users can select and the regions where the app is available. A national store listing can expose a feature that only has local coverage.

Align access with the arrangement

Provide evidence of the active involvement and limit reporting to covered locations. Correct any language implying an official relationship beyond what exists. If no qualifying arrangement exists, remove the criminal-reporting feature or establish the required involvement before resubmitting.

Test covered and uncovered locations with fictional reports in a safe test process. Give Apple the relevant organization, supported regions, and instructions to verify the restrictions. Don’t send fabricated crime reports to a live authority as a test.