Partner account banned for no reason after submitting listing

Shopify Apps

Topic summary

A developer’s Shopify Partner account was banned two days after submitting their first app—a simple installment plan display tool requiring only “read theme” scope. Despite having operated a Shopify store for 5 years without issues, they received a generic ban notification from Partner Governance.

Key Issues:

  • Partner Support stopped responding after the ban email (though store support remains active)
  • The ban message states the decision is final and prohibits creating new partner accounts
  • Shopify refuses to disclose specific reasons, citing “security and privacy”
  • The account was deemed to “present a level of risk”

Similar Experience:
Another user reported an identical situation—banned while creating test stores for tutorials, without submitting anything. They’re also uncertain how to regain Partner program access.

Both cases involve sudden, unexplained bans with no clear path to appeal or resolution.

Summarized with AI on November 14. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

After 1 year learning how to develop a shopify app I’ve finally submited my completed app, only to have my partners account banned for no reason 2 days later.

The app is pretty simple, all it does is show installment plans for products, and only requests the “read theme” scope, I’ve also been running a store on shopify for 5 years and never had any issues. Anyone know what might be the reason?

Partner support won’t reply after the ban email, but the store support is replying normally.

Here’s the message for anyone curious:

Partner Governance (Shopify)

Apr 7, 2022, 13:09 EDT

Hi Scala Team,

This email is to inform you that after reviewing your information and account we believe your business presents a level of risk that we will be unable to support with Shopify.

While we recognize this is not an ideal situation, we will not be able to help you with your business.
For security and privacy reasons we are unable to divulge the results of our investigation.

Please note you are prohibited from creating any new Shopify partner accounts, apps or services on this platform.

Once an account has been declined the decision is final.

Partner Governance | Shopify
1 Like
2

Same thing happened to me today. I’m just creating test stores to do tutorials. I didn’t submit anything.

No idea how I’ll be allowed to their Partner program again.