Facebook's iPhone developer quits over Apple approval policy

Warns that 'gatekeepers will start infesting the lives of every software developer'.

Facebook's iPhone app developer Joe Hewitt has quit the project to go back to web development, and has laid the blame for his decision squarely on Apple.

"My decision to stop iPhone development has had everything to do with Apple’s policies," he tells TechCrunch.

"I respect their right to manage their platform however they want, however I am philosophically opposed to the existence of their review process. I am very concerned that they are setting a horrible precedent for other software platforms, and soon gatekeepers will start infesting the lives of every software developer."

Hewitt has form when it comes to clashing with Apple. In August, he vented his frustration at Apple's submissions process, following a delay in the approval for the Facebook 3.0 app for iPhone.

Facebook has moved quickly to stress that Hewitt's new comments are purely his personal opinions, rather than the company's.