How do I report a problem to Apple for an app I haven't yet downloaded from the Mac App Store?

I would send an email to the Data Protection Officer at dpo@apple.com. Include in the email the name of the App and a link to the app in the store so they can verify. The email address is noted on this page related to the Report a Problem website for disputing previous decisions made on the site, but since you are unable to report the problem without downloading the app that is what I would use. I wouldn't expect a response other than the acknowledgment that it was received.

https://reportaproblem.apple.com/static/en-us/privacy.html

Also, I would not bother to support any developer where there is a broken link for Support or their Privacy Page. That is an easy one where I would move along.

Feedback -

https://www.apple.com/feedback/

M1 Mac mini, macOS 26.2;  Watch, Series 10 GPS-only, watchOS 26.2; iPhone 16, iOS 26.2.1; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 26.2 HomePods, audioOS 26.2

FilipOfficial wrote:

Thank you for your reply Mac Jim! I think the email you provided is the correct one as it seems to be the appropriate department for this stuff. Thank you!

And yes - I stay away from those apps. But I still want to report some of it to Apple, as they don't seem to realise how big of a problem this is. Hopefully in the future they can add a simple report button directly on App Store so you can report suspicious apps directly from App Store.

You are welcome!

To add a little bit more information about app removals and other metrics for the App Store, Apple has provided a yearly Transparency Report, although the last one available is for 2024, so unclear if there is one going to be released for 2025. Some interesting data points are:

• 1,961,596 - Total apps in the App Store
• 7,771,599 - App submissions reviewed in 2024 (includes multiple submissions and updates for the same app)
• 1,931,400 - App submissions rejected (again includes updates, not just individual apps)
• 82,509 - Individual apps removed from the App Store in 2024 (4.2% of the total apps removed in 1 year)
• 839,266,915 - Average weekly app downloads.
• $2,023,389,488 - Value of fraudulent transactions prevented.

https://www.apple.com/legal/more-resources/docs/2024-App-Store-Transparency-Report.pdf