Last week, a startup called Un1feed launched an Instagram client called The OG App, which promised an ad-free and suggestion-free home feed, along with features like creating custom feeds like Twitter lists. The app has been revived almost 10,000 downloads within a few days, but Apple removed the app from the App Store earlier this week for violating the rules.
Separately, Un1feed said that Meta has disabled all team members’ personal Instagram and Facebook accounts.
Meta did not specify whether they asked Apple to remove the app from the App Store, but it said the app broke the rules.
“This app violates our policies and we are taking all appropriate enforcement action,” a Meta spokesperson told londonbusinessblog.com. The company also pointed out a blog post about clone sites.
In response to The OG App’s removal from the App Store, Un1feed accused Apple of “conspiracy” with Facebook.
“Everyone knows Instagram sucks. We improved it and got a lot of love from users. But Facebook hates its own users so much that it’s willing to crush an alternative that gives them a clean, ad-free Instagram. Apple is colluding with Facebook to bully two teens who made Instagram better,” the startup said in a statement to londonbusinessblog.com. We’ve asked Apple for comment and will update the story if we hear anything.
The app will still remain live in the Google Play Store. So the founders said that Android is “the clear choice for users who want privacy, freedom and optionality”. The app makers said they are still working on put the app back in the App Store. However, it seems unlikely that this will happen in its current form and after these statements.
After the launch, a few users questioned the app’s login methods, which: some users locked out of their accounts or showed them a prompt to log in from another location. The OG app explained that reverse engineering the Android API for Instagram to make some parts of the app work. In addition, it worked on a new login experience that solved many problems.
Last night, The OG APP noted that there are various apps in the App Store that mimic the Instagram experience. But some of these desktop apps are probably wrappers around Instagram for the web. For now, iPhone users who want an ad-free Instagram client will have to wait.