App now available on App Store after Apple's prompt approval

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January 13, 2015 3:09 PM

The new iPhone app which is free to download, is intended to help users around the world show solidarity with Paris after armed gunmen killed 12 people in the offices of the controversial publication, Charlie Hebdo.

Je Suis Charlie iPhone app has been made available to the App Store on Sunday, January 11, 2015, after its creators personally sent a mail to Apple boss, Tim Cook, to ask for an immediate approval.

Apple which is somewhat notorious among developers for its often lengthy App Store approval process, usually between 10 to 15 days on average, skipped the long process and helped get the Je Suis Charlie app pushed to the front of the approval line after its developers contacted the CEO of the tech giant.

According to a report in Nice-Matin, one of Cook's assistants responded within 10 minutes after the initial email was sent and the app went live in the App Store shortly thereafter.

Nice-Matin also reports that the app was created by a French startup which at Apple's suggestion, enlisted the help of the news agency to help lend it credence.

The hashtag #JeSuisCharlie, a message of support which translates to "I am Charlie," quickly took off on social media in the hours and days following the terrorist attack on the French satirical newspaper last week and has been seen on signs at gatherings around the world.

The app opens with a map of your location and a counter that keeps tabs on how many "Charlies" there are. To add yourself to their number, tap the Je Suis Charlie logo, which geotags your current location with the raised fist holding a pencil.

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