Apple’s App Store rules don’t allow apps to send notifications for promotional, advertising, or marketing purposes, but it seems those rules don’t apply to Apple’s own apps.
Apple has recently been sending out unsolicited notifications to iOS users, promoting Carpool Karaoke episodes and the availability of Apple Music on Amazon Echo devices.
Multiple unwanted and unapproved notifications direct from Apple have gone out during the month of December, irritating iPhone users who aren’t interested in the features that Apple is promoting.
Moments ago the actual lock screen notification for Apple Music on Echo.
A very strange moment in Apple #VoiceFirst history surfaces. CC @reneritchie
“Alexa, play Apple Music: Our streaming tunes are now integrated with Amazon’s voice service” https://t.co/ekqUoM4qqe
Wow! pic.twitter.com/MQD45PrwEH
— Brian Roemmele (@BrianRoemmele) December 19, 2018
Apple sent out Carpool Karaoke promo notifications earlier this month via the TV app, promoting the release of a new episode of the series. Notifications about the Apple Music and Amazon Echo integration went out on Tuesday, as seen in multiple postings on Twitter.
The notifications don’t appear to be rolling out to everyone. (We haven’t seen any of the above listed notifications), and it isn’t clear what criteria Apple is using to decide who sees them.
If the notifications from Apple’s TV app bug you too much, go to: “Notifications,” and tap either “Music” or “TV,” and toggle off “Allow Notifications.” Unfortunately, this also turns of notifications you might actually want to see.
(Banner image courtesy AppleInsider)
