App Store Compliance (Guideline 1.2)

Apple's App Store Review Guideline 1.2 requires every iOS app with user-generated content to implement specific safety features. Vettly provides infrastructure to meet all four requirements with a single integration.

What Apple Requires

Guideline 1.2 states that apps with user-generated content must include:

1. A method to filter objectionable material from being posted
2. A mechanism for users to report offensive content
3. The ability to block abusive users from the service
4. Published contact information so users can reach you

Apps that fail to meet these requirements are rejected during App Review.

Requirement Mapping

Apple Requirement	Vettly Feature	API
Filter objectionable material	Content moderation checks	POST /v1/check
Report offensive content	Appeals / reporting workflow	POST /v1/appeals
Block abusive users	Blocklist API	Blocklist management
Published contact info	Your responsibility	Guidance below

1. Filter Objectionable Material

Use vettly.check() to screen text and images before they appear in your app.

Swift (URLSession)

func moderateContent(_ text: String) async throws -> Bool {
    let url = URL(string: "https://api.vettly.dev/v1/check")!
    var request = URLRequest(url: url)
    request.httpMethod = "POST"
    request.setValue("Bearer \(apiKey)", forHTTPHeaderField: "Authorization")
    request.setValue("application/json", forHTTPHeaderField: "Content-Type")

    let body: [String: Any] = [
        "content": text,
        "contentType": "text",
        "policyId": "app-store"
    ]
    request.httpBody = try JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: body)

    let (data, _) = try await URLSession.shared.data(for: request)
    let result = try JSONDecoder().decode(ModerationResult.self, from: data)

    return result.action != "block"
}

React Native / Expo

import { ModerationClient } from '@vettly/sdk'

const vettly = new ModerationClient({
  apiKey: process.env.EXPO_PUBLIC_VETTLY_API_KEY!
})

async function isContentAllowed(content: string): Promise<boolean> {
  const result = await vettly.check({
    content,
    contentType: 'text',
    policyId: 'app-store'
  })

  return result.action !== 'block'
}

2. Report Offensive Content

Use the appeals API to let users report content they find objectionable.

Swift

func reportContent(contentId: String, reason: String, reporterId: String) async throws {
    let url = URL(string: "https://api.vettly.dev/v1/appeals")!
    var request = URLRequest(url: url)
    request.httpMethod = "POST"
    request.setValue("Bearer \(apiKey)", forHTTPHeaderField: "Authorization")
    request.setValue("application/json", forHTTPHeaderField: "Content-Type")

    let body: [String: Any] = [
        "contentId": contentId,
        "reason": reason,
        "reporterId": reporterId
    ]
    request.httpBody = try JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: body)

    let (_, response) = try await URLSession.shared.data(for: request)
    guard let httpResponse = response as? HTTPURLResponse,
          httpResponse.statusCode == 201 else {
        throw ReportError.failed
    }
}

React Native / Expo

async function reportContent(contentId: string, reason: string) {
  const appeal = await vettly.createAppeal({
    contentId,
    reason,
    reporterId: currentUser.id
  })

  Alert.alert('Report Submitted', 'Thank you. We will review this content.')
  return appeal
}

Report Button Component (React Native)

import React, { useState } from 'react'
import { TouchableOpacity, Text, Alert, TextInput, Modal, View } from 'react-native'

export function ReportButton({ contentId, userId }) {
  const [showModal, setShowModal] = useState(false)
  const [reason, setReason] = useState('')

  const submitReport = async () => {
    try {
      await vettly.createAppeal({
        contentId,
        reason,
        reporterId: userId
      })
      setShowModal(false)
      setReason('')
      Alert.alert('Reported', 'Thank you for reporting this content.')
    } catch (err) {
      Alert.alert('Error', 'Failed to submit report. Please try again.')
    }
  }

  return (
    <>
      <TouchableOpacity onPress={() => setShowModal(true)}>
        <Text style={{ color: '#ef4444' }}>Report</Text>
      </TouchableOpacity>
      <Modal visible={showModal} transparent>
        <View style={{ flex: 1, justifyContent: 'center', padding: 24, backgroundColor: 'rgba(0,0,0,0.5)' }}>
          <View style={{ backgroundColor: '#fff', borderRadius: 12, padding: 20 }}>
            <Text style={{ fontSize: 18, fontWeight: '600', marginBottom: 12 }}>Report Content</Text>
            <TextInput
              placeholder="Why are you reporting this?"
              value={reason}
              onChangeText={setReason}
              multiline
              style={{ borderWidth: 1, borderColor: '#ddd', borderRadius: 8, padding: 12, minHeight: 80, marginBottom: 12 }}
            />
            <TouchableOpacity onPress={submitReport} style={{ backgroundColor: '#ef4444', borderRadius: 8, padding: 14, alignItems: 'center' }}>
              <Text style={{ color: '#fff', fontWeight: '600' }}>Submit Report</Text>
            </TouchableOpacity>
            <TouchableOpacity onPress={() => setShowModal(false)} style={{ padding: 14, alignItems: 'center' }}>
              <Text>Cancel</Text>
            </TouchableOpacity>
          </View>
        </View>
      </Modal>
    </>
  )
}

3. Block Abusive Users

Use the blocklist API to let users block other users from contacting them.

Swift

func blockUser(_ blockedUserId: String, by userId: String) async throws {
    let url = URL(string: "https://api.vettly.dev/v1/blocklist")!
    var request = URLRequest(url: url)
    request.httpMethod = "POST"
    request.setValue("Bearer \(apiKey)", forHTTPHeaderField: "Authorization")
    request.setValue("application/json", forHTTPHeaderField: "Content-Type")

    let body: [String: Any] = [
        "userId": userId,
        "blockedUserId": blockedUserId
    ]
    request.httpBody = try JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: body)

    let (_, response) = try await URLSession.shared.data(for: request)
    guard let httpResponse = response as? HTTPURLResponse,
          httpResponse.statusCode == 201 else {
        throw BlockError.failed
    }
}

React Native / Expo

async function blockUser(blockedUserId: string) {
  await fetch('https://api.vettly.dev/v1/blocklist', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'Authorization': `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      userId: currentUser.id,
      blockedUserId
    })
  })

  Alert.alert('User Blocked', 'You will no longer see content from this user.')
}

4. Published Contact Information

This requirement is your responsibility as the app publisher. Apple requires:

• A way for users to contact you (email, website, or in-app support)
• Contact information must be accessible within the app

Recommendations:

• Add a "Contact Us" link in your app's Settings or About screen
• Include a support email in your App Store listing
• Link to a support page or help center

// Example: Settings screen with contact info
struct SettingsView: View {
    var body: some View {
        List {
            Section("Support") {
                Link("Contact Us", destination: URL(string: "mailto:[email protected]")!)
                Link("Help Center", destination: URL(string: "https://yourapp.com/support")!)
            }
        }
    }
}

Implementation Checklist

Content Filtering

• [ ] Integrate vettly.check() for text content
• [ ] Integrate vettly.check() for image uploads (if applicable)
• [ ] Apply the app-store policy template
• [ ] Handle block actions before content is posted
• [ ] Handle flag actions with human review queue

Reporting Mechanism

• [ ] Add a "Report" button on user-generated content
• [ ] Connect reports to the Vettly appeals API
• [ ] Show confirmation to the reporting user
• [ ] Set up notification for incoming reports

User Blocking

• [ ] Add a "Block User" option on user profiles or content
• [ ] Connect to the Vettly blocklist API
• [ ] Filter blocked users from feeds and messages
• [ ] Allow users to view and manage their block list

Contact Information

• [ ] Add contact information in the app (Settings/About screen)
• [ ] Include support email in App Store listing
• [ ] Verify contact information is accessible and working

Pre-built Policy

Vettly provides an app-store policy template designed for Guideline 1.2 compliance. See Moderation Policies for the full configuration.

// Use the pre-built App Store policy
const result = await vettly.check({
  content: userMessage,
  contentType: 'text',
  policyId: 'app-store'
})

Next Steps

• Swift Integration — Full Swift integration guide
• React Native Integration — React Native setup
• Expo Integration — Expo-specific guide
• Appeals Workflow — Configure reporting and appeals
• Audit Trails — Evidence and compliance records
• Moderation Policies — Policy templates and customization