Apple has revealed that it blocked more than $2.2 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions through the App Store during 2025, highlighting the company’s continued efforts to strengthen digital security, fraud prevention, and platform integrity across its global app ecosystem.
According to Apple, the company leveraged a combination of expert human review systems and advanced artificial intelligence technologies to identify and prevent malicious activity targeting users, developers, and businesses operating within the App Store environment. The company stated that the latest figures bring the total value of fraudulent transactions prevented over the last six years to more than $11.2 billion.
Apple also reported taking large-scale action against suspicious applications and fraudulent accounts throughout the year. In 2025 alone, the company rejected more than 2 million app submissions that were considered problematic or potentially harmful to users. The App Store currently serves over 850 million weekly visitors across 175 storefronts globally.
AI and Human Review Used to Combat Fraud
The company said malicious actors continue evolving their tactics through fake accounts, bot networks, manipulated reviews, spam activity, and fraudulent app distribution methods. To counter these threats, Apple’s Trust and Safety teams reportedly blocked 1.1 billion fraudulent customer account creation attempts during 2025 and deactivated an additional 40.4 million accounts linked to fraud and abuse.
Apple also intensified its actions against suspicious developer activity. The company terminated approximately 193,000 developer accounts over fraud concerns and rejected more than 138,000 developer enrolment attempts connected to potentially malicious operations.
As part of broader platform security measures, Apple detected and blocked around 28,000 illegitimate applications distributed through pirate storefronts. According to the company, these apps included malware, gambling software, pirated applications, and other harmful content capable of compromising user security and developer intellectual property.
In addition, Apple said it prevented nearly 2.9 million attempts in the past month alone involving the installation or launch of apps distributed outside authorised App Store channels or approved alternative marketplaces.
Growing Focus on AI-Powered Security
The development reflects the increasing role artificial intelligence is playing in cybersecurity, fraud detection, and digital platform management. Apple stated that AI-driven systems are being combined with human moderation processes to strengthen app review operations and rapidly detect evolving online threats.
The announcement also highlights the growing challenge faced by technology companies in maintaining secure digital ecosystems as cybercriminals adopt more sophisticated techniques to exploit online platforms and consumer applications.
Industry observers believe Apple’s latest fraud prevention figures demonstrate how AI-powered monitoring systems are becoming central to large-scale digital security operations, particularly as app marketplaces continue expanding globally.
