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Specifically there's a site called gab.com that's about free speech and has attracted a number of radical people. Because of this it has been banned form the Apple app store, even in its more recent iterations as it moved into the fediverse.

I was thinking of forking their old app and making a third party app that blocked sensitive content, hopefully making the app acceptable for the app store (since the previous one was banned due to hate speech).

I'd hate to go through all that work just to have Apply say they won't allow it anyways.

If I want to create an app in a sensitive subject area, is there a way to contact Apple before making the app to see if they'll allow it or not?

The short answer is once you are a paid developer, you have paid support from developer relations. I can't imagine apple would offer anyone an unofficial or cursory "you're good" without seeing the app

The good news is Apple now has clearly worded and very specific public guidance on what app review considers and specific items relating to safety.

• https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/

Apple’s review guidelines should help you decide if you want to pay the $100 to get a proper response from Apple on your specific implementation of a front end to that site. (Even if there is an API to let you host it - seems the site is having problems getting hosted and has moved to paid only access)

Section 1 on safety has all you should need to decide if “free speech” means you cannot or choose not to control bullying and hateful speech.

1.1.1 Defamatory, discriminatory, or mean-spirited content, including references or commentary about religion, race, sexual orientation, gender, national/ethnic origin, or other targeted groups, particularly if the app is likely to humiliate, intimidate, or place a targeted individual or group in harm’s way. Professional political satirists and humorists are generally exempt from this requirement.

The bar for publishing free speech apps is that you would be held accountable for Apple’s definition of ensuring some level of safety for people that download your app.

To prevent abuse, apps with user-generated content or social
networking services must include:

• A method for filtering objectionable material from being posted to the app


• A mechanism to report offensive content and timely responses to concerns


• The ability to block abusive users from the service


• Published contact information so users can easily reach you

Now, how you value your time - I would presume you'd spend 10x on legal advice so you understand the contract you sign to become a developer over the $100 Apple charges to be a developer.

The hierarchy of control is pretty easy to see, though if you step back from the details of app review. From most strict to least strict Apple services:

1. Most restricted is if your app contains items that might be adult or objectionable or hateful. Expect Apple to carefully look at an application that has something widely understood to have racial undertones like a Nazi Swastica or a US Confederate flag. Based on the country in which you want to sell that app, expect to handle sensitive content with care.


2. Less restricted is if your app is a portal to user generated content. You absolutely have to disclose this, but there may be more latitude to pass review when you’re not embedding the content in your app.


3. Even less restricted is of your item is a book or music item - that is about expressing your artistic and intellectual ideas and not that Apple endorses your lyrics or writing.


4. The most free speech friendly expression is a web app - just make your Applications into a progressive web app or offline web app and there is no review. Anyone interested in participating in free speech is free to run your app without Apple or anyone else reviewing it. (Except perhaps the government where people live)

I would say, think about why your app has to be on the App Store and not a web app if it’s just a discussion forum or place for people to gather. Free speech generally restricts governments and not platforms and companies like Apple or even Stack Exchange which all publish guidelines restricting speech on their platforms.