I previously asked in the Network Extension forum about the supported architecture for local, user-controlled domain blocking on unmanaged consumer iPhones.
Apple Developer Technical Support explained that using NEPacketTunnelProvider for a purpose other than a VPN is not a DTS-supported use case. DTS also noted that App Review has the final say regarding what may or may not be distributed through the App Store and directed me to App Review for clarification.
URL Filters do not provide the intended device-wide domain visibility and user-controlled blocking. At the same time, the deployment restrictions described in TN3134 prevent the use of the relevant content-filtering provider types on unmanaged consumer iPhones.
The proposed app is a consumer privacy and security app. It would use NEPacketTunnelProvider to identify destination domains locally and allow the user to block selected domains.
The app would not provide a remote VPN service. Network traffic would not be routed to a remote VPN endpoint, and the app would not offer location changing, anonymous browsing, IP address masking, or access to a private network.
My questions are:
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Would this use of
NEPacketTunnelProviderbe eligible for distribution on the App Store, even though DTS does not support this packet tunnel use case? -
Would App Review classify this as a VPN service, or could it be classified as a security or content-blocking app under App Store Review Guideline 5.4?
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If it is classified as a security or content-blocking app rather than a VPN service, may it be submitted by an individual Apple Developer Program member, or is enrollment as an organization required?
I understand that a forum response cannot guarantee approval of a future submission. I am trying to clarify the likely classification and account requirement before proceeding with further development.