Apple is punishing Facebook big-time for breaking its rules

The quick backstory: Facebook is part of one of Apples special enterprise developer programs that allows companies to publish apps specifically for their own employees; these apps dont go through the public App Store. Facebook uses that program to share beta versions of its own apps with employees so it can test new features or new code.

On Tuesday, TechCrunch reported that Facebook has been abusing its role in Apples enterprise program by using it to distribute an app to non-employees.

An app like that would have violated Apples App Store guidelines, but Apple doesnt review apps that are part of the developer program.

But that wasnt all: Apple also appears to have stopped Facebook from distributing all apps associated with its enterprise developer program, according to a source. This means the special versions of Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp that Facebook employees use arent working on iPhones.

Essentially, Apple forced Facebook employees to download the public version of all of these apps, given that most of the companys employees use iPhones.

Apple has shown that it isnt just capable of stopping Facebook from moving fast it might be capable of stopping Facebook altogether, at least temporarily.