Apple rejects AI dictation app WhisperPad over API access
TL;DR. Apple rejected an update to the dictation app WhisperPad due to its use of the accessibility API for auto-pasting transcribed text. - The developer, who has a hand injury, created WhisperPad to transcribe speech locally on a Mac without server interaction. - Apple cited Guideline 2.4.5, stating the API use was not for accessibility purposes, despite the developer's injury. - WhisperPad is now available in two versions: a compliant App Store version and the original direct-download version.
- Apple rejected WhisperPad due to its use of the accessibility API for automatic text pasting.
- The app's developer created WhisperPad for personal accessibility due to a hand injury.
- Apple's rejection forced the developer to release two versions of the application.
- The core technology is local speech-to-text transcription.
- Earlier versions of WhisperPad with the same functionality had been approved by Apple.