When people searched for "Facebook advertising manager" on the App Store, the app came up prominently. This is the app that marketers use to manage their presence and the advertisements they run on the Facebook network. Although it claimed to be the official Facebook advertisements manager, the programme was essentially a backdoor via which hackers could access users' accounts. One employee of an advertising firm reported to Insider that after installing and logging into the app from Apple's App Store, they were locked out of their account after just 10 minutes. According to Apple, the app was first uploaded to the App Store as a straightforward document organiser with no connections to or functionality from the Facebook network.

The programme allegedly turned malicious after being given Apple's platform approval, according to a statement the business provided to Insider. Midway through July, Facebook reported the app to Apple, but it wasn't until Insider asked the Cupertino tech giant for comment that the app was taken down.

Apps are subject to the "highest standards for privacy, security, and content," according to Apple, which proudly claims that the App Store is "a secure and trusted destination to find and download apps." Before any applications are made available for download on the App Store, Apple screens them all. Over 250,000 applications were disallowed from the App Store last year for breaking privacy policies, while an even greater 1 million apps were disallowed for potentially hazardous and risky material, claims the business.