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Apple rejected by guideline 5.2.3 #154
Description
Hi,
I submitted on the AppStore ( with API) and apple rejected my app with this guideline, how can I solve it?
here is the message:
Regarding 5.2.3, we still find that your app contains content or features that may violate the rights of one or more third parties. Specifically, your app provides potentially unauthorized access to third-party audio or video streaming, catalogs, and discovery services.
To resolve this issue, it would be appropriate to attach documentary evidence in the App Review Information section in App Store Connect evidencing that you have all necessary rights or permissions to the third-party audio or video streaming, catalogs, and discovery services in your app
Activity
Tucker2015 commentedon Jan 13, 2021
Looks like they are clamping down on Audio Apps. I have had 3 rejections for streaming apps and have been advised I need to supply them with authorisation from the copyright holders to use their Audio or Artwork in my apps.
urayoanm commentedon Jan 13, 2021
@Mohsenkhodadadzadeh in my case, Apple rejected my app because i used screenshots with album arts. That violates the guidelines of authorized content.
In my case, i did change the artist artworks and changed with artworks from the programs we stream (better promo for us)
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/az-rock/id1285879850
losgranos commentedon Jan 13, 2021
@urayoanm app looks great, quick question what did you do so the is compatible with Apple TV , watch, etc? Did you add a special code? Thanks in advance...
losgranos commentedon Jan 13, 2021
@urayoanm oh just realized is not the swift radio app... nice work regardless...👍🏼
urayoanm commentedon Jan 13, 2021
@losgranos it is indeed the Swift Radio App, but with lots of modifications. At the core it uses the FRadioPlayer classes and the initial project was started with Swift Radio Pro.
To make it compatible with Apple TV i did use the example of the FRadioPlayer as a starting point
https://github.com/fethica/FRadioPlayer
losgranos commentedon Jan 13, 2021
@urayoanm oh wow that’s impressive very nice work!
Mohsenkhodadadzadeh commentedon Jan 13, 2021
@urayoanm thanks for your reply
but apple rejected my app by the following guideline:
5.2.3 Audio/Video Downloading: Apps should not facilitate illegal file sharing or include the ability to save, convert, or download media from third-party sources (e.g. Apple Music, YouTube, SoundCloud, Vimeo, etc.) without explicit authorization from those sources. Streaming of audio/video content may also violate Terms of Use, so be sure to check before your app accesses those services. Documentation must be provided upon request.
Mohsenkhodadadzadeh commentedon Jan 13, 2021
what kind of online stations I can stream and what kind of them I can't????!!!
Mohsenkhodadadzadeh commentedon Jan 13, 2021
@Tucker2015 did you find a way for submitting?!?
Tucker2015 commentedon Jan 13, 2021
I need to supply a Licence from the station for Apple legal team to check.
urayoanm commentedon Jan 13, 2021
@Mohsenkhodadadzadeh there's a few stuff you need to check first.
If you are making an app for a terrestrial radio station and their logo is included in the app and the developer account is yours, the use of logo needs to be authorized by the radio station. Is as easy as a letter giving you permission or letting know Apple you are using the their logos on their behalf as a developer.
In the case of streaming, even when the radio station has their licenses, they need to fill a separate license from ASCAP, BMI and others (check the link I provide at the bottom). Those are not that expensive today and takes some time to get it, but is worth it.
Why that? Because Apple wants to make sure the musicians and producers are getting paid for their work. The station needs to fill reports (last time I remember, every 6 months) with listening hours and a log of played songs etc. I am pretty sure if the radio station is running via FM, AM or even XM, they know better than me about that and they take care of that (they already doing it for sure).
Hope this info helps.
https://radio.co/blog/do-i-need-a-license-for-internet-radio
mv79 commentedon Jan 25, 2021
I had the same, turns out all that was required was an email from the official station email address stating that you have the rights to use all intellectual property associated with the station. Was easy for me as I’m using the library for a single station, for multiple stations you would need the above for each station.
Tucker2015 commentedon Jan 25, 2021
What if your the station owner ? I own the two stations I created apps for.
mv79 commentedon Jan 25, 2021
So you will have confirmation that you’re in charge of the streams. Have they both got websites/associated email addresses?
Just send them proof that you have the authority to be using all intellectual property contained within the app.
evnradio commentedon Feb 6, 2021
I am building an aggregator app and now I am worried that my submission will get rejected. Is it possible to submit them an app with a few stations then later through the API publish more stations? What is the best way to get around this?
MajdiMS commentedon Jun 15, 2022
Hi
The only way to get your app on the store is to contact every station owner , it took us almost one year to reach the station owners and save their aproval as a proof to be shown to Apple
Our app has been finally accepted : https://apps.apple.com/app/cloud-radio-record-lyrics/id1622604207
Good luck :)
joemcmahon commentedon Feb 16, 2026
I have specific information on this.
You will need a signed letter from each station owner granting you the use of their stream and avowing that they either have an agreement in place for compensating the artists, or a waiver system allowing them to play the music for promotional purposes. Without that you will not be able to get past App Review.
I was able to find the exact reason for the rejection by scheduling a call with App Review -- it's a very useful tool when you can't easily see what the reason for the rejection is. The rep I spoke to outlined exactly what needed to be in the letter so that the app would pass review.
I would suggest scheduling that call to make sure there's nothing else blocking you. I'll still bet it's not "I have explicit permission to stream these stations, and the station has properly handled compensation for the artists and labels."