This creepy app encouraged Instagram stalking, ousted from App store

Apple removed a fishy app that allowed users to stalk people they follow on Instagram. The app called 'Like Petrol' allowed people to snoop on activities of users they follow on Instagram. Finally, Apple cracked down on Like Petrol and removed the app from the App Store. Late last month, it was discovered that an app called Like Petrol is providing users with features and ways to spy on people as well as their activities, courtesy of Instagram. However, the app was severely criticised due to its resemblance to stalkerware. After Instagram swung into action over the violation of Apple's App Store guidelines, Apple finally removed the app from the App Store.

What was the problem

The 'stalking' app allowed users to keep a constant tab on other user's Instagram activities. Interestingly, Like Petrol was a paid subscription service. All users had to do was pay a subscription fee to avail its services. The app Like Petrol allowed users to set up a paid subscription-based service. This would provide subscribers with notifications every time someone they follow liked a photo or commented on a post. The app mainly targetted people in relationships. The service was marketed in such a way that it could be used to spy on partners, by keeping a tab on who they are communicating with, what posts they liked, what posts they commented on and so on.

As per the CNET report, Instagram sent a cease-and-desist letter late last month. Following the letter, Apple removed the Like Petrol app over the weekend. The Like Petrol app charged $80 (about Rs 5,700) per year. The app was first found listed in Apple's store in July. However, the app doesn't appear in the Google Play Store for Android devices.

In an email statement to CNET, Like Patrol's founder, Sergio Luis Quintero had this to say: "We strongly believe that our app does not violate Apple policies, we plan to appeal this decision in the coming days," he said. "If our app's functionality did violate any policies, then Instagram would have violated the exact same policies since 2011 to 2019 with the Following tab. Why weren't they taken down?"

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