There is a terrible amount of risk for everyone that wants to build apps and publish them in the App Store: you need to build the app and submit it to know if it’s allowed. This means you have to at least have a functional prototype that demonstrates how the app works to reviewers and hope that they approve it. Then, even if think you’re following all the guidelines, Apple may reject your app at their sole discretion. They may say they’ll hear appeals, but they can easily maintain their decision and shut you out of the process.
This happened to Jonathan Heyman. Remember the Wordle clone wars? Well, he decided he wanted to build a Swedith version of Wordle, and publish it in the App Store. He then got rejected and attempted to change the behavior of the app enough that it couldn’t possibly be confused by other people as a Wordle clone. It didn’t work and Apple provided very little feedback.
I’ve grown resentful over the past few years because Apple outright lies about the purpose of the App Store and how it works. Apple execs have gone on the record stating that the App Store is there to curate apps in such a way that it’s beneficial for the end users. However, there is plenty of evidence that this is not true. From the hundreds of scam apps that will charge you a fee for no functionality, to the fake 5-star reviews, to the draconian restrictions like the ones Jonathan faced. I won’t even expand on the fact that all of the process is opaque. You don’t get clear rules or consistent behavior out of Apple reviewers.
I’m bringing this up because it’s important that you remember that we serve at the behest of the king. It’s your responsibility as a senior developer to explain to others that this isn’t the App Store paradise everyone envisions. It’s a walled garden where Apple has absolute power over other businesses and their revenue streams.