Kate Mills 
Feb 19, 2024
Apple has been hit by backlash for removing Kimi, an app that allowed users to watch pirated movies and TV shows on their smartphones, from the App Store.
Why Apple removed Kimi from App Store?
The reasoning behind the removal of the app from the iPhone maker's app marketplace is that it was found misleading, as it was available on the App Store since September 2023. The app initially served as a vision testing app.
Gadgets Now, citing a report from The Verge, said that the app did not represent a vision testing app. Moreover, despite not having proper descriptions and screenshots, the app was ranked at number eight in the App Store's trending list of free entertainment apps, and number 46 overall for free apps.
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When opened, the app used to offered a wide range of movies and TV shows for users to watch. What sets it apart and grants it a nobility is that it did not have any splash screen, neither did it require some tricks to unlock the content alongside not being concealed inside any layer of legitimacy.
Bearing resemblance with the renowned Popcorn Time app that was available on the App Store long ago, letting users stream movies from torrent, Meanwhile, it was not specified whether Kimi utilised torrents for the hosting of content available on it.
The report also mentions that the app's Search section had simple filtering choices and even featured a Ranking section that displayed content such as the most popular shows or latest releases. Additionally, the app provided the option for users to download movies.
Nevertheless, some of the content did not have satisfactory video quality. Furthermore, it did not provide details about the cast of a film or any trivia. The report claims that the app was “designed to get you to the movies you want ASAP, regardless of legality.”
Apple has not disclosed how this app managed to bypass the review process of the company's App Store. Apple has long maintained that its tightly controlled App Store is essential for the safety of iOS users.
The company has also opposed regulations that would force it to permit sideloading of apps or the use of alternative app stores. Additionally, a phishing app posing as LastPass was recently discovered on the App Store.
