The app was subsequently restored to the App Store.
Event Context
Initial reports suggested the reason for the disappearance was unclear.
The company had posted on X, “crazy that we’re gonna get GTA 6 before the full Epstein files.”
However, those were just unverified claims from social media users.
The temporary takedown also renewed criticism of Apple’s App Store policies. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney argued that Apple’s control over app distribution gives it excessive power. He said Apple had removed “a vital communication and privacy tool” over content posted by a user and called it the enforcement “arbitrary.”
Match Outlook
The messaging app then tagged Apple in an X post, mocking the company’s remark. “I’m sure this stance will be applied equally to all other apps in the store, in the future, right?”
