Quinn here (the OP). A happy (and hopefully final) update: Apple unblocked my account.
I received a call from Isabela with Apple’s Corporate Executive Relations, who explained that my account was blocked in error “because of a glitch” affecting more than a few users. She said they're working with engineering to fix the problem.
I suggested that, based on the stories I've heard of others who also had their accounts blocked, the problem appeared to be that the fraud-detection algorithm has been generating false positives. She said, “yes, something like that.”
I would like to suggest that the actual glitch is not the algorithm, but Apple Support’s obstinance and the lack of recourse offered. I should not have had to email Tim or spam my story all over the internet to get this resolved. Apple should have passed my case to an internal investigation team with whom I could have disputed my case.
For those of you who still have your account blocked, I would recommend the following:
- Call Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273
- Tell them your account has been blocked in error. Explain how you've been in communication with others who have also been erroneously blocked including those like myself. You can say that we received confirmation from “Isabela at Corporate Executive Relations” that there is an acknowledged glitch that the engineering team is aware of and working to fix.
- If the support person isn't sympathetic to your case, gracefully get off the phone and call back later and speak to a different person.
- Post your story on social media, tag Apple.
- Continue lobbying for an alternative to the App Store and monopolistic walled gardens.
Comments
Quinn here (the OP). A happy (and hopefully final) update: Apple unblocked my account.
I received a call from Isabela with Apple’s Corporate Executive Relations, who explained that my account was blocked in error “because of a glitch” affecting more than a few users. She said they're working with engineering to fix the problem.
I suggested that, based on the stories I've heard of others who also had their accounts blocked, the problem appeared to be that the fraud-detection algorithm has been generating false positives. She said, “yes, something like that.”
I would like to suggest that the actual glitch is not the algorithm, but Apple Support’s obstinance and the lack of recourse offered. I should not have had to email Tim or spam my story all over the internet to get this resolved. Apple should have passed my case to an internal investigation team with whom I could have disputed my case.
For those of you who still have your account blocked, I would recommend the following: