Apple Warns Developers Against Circumventing App Privacy Labels

As some of you might be aware, a new rule for iOS apps is that they must list all the privacy-related activities their app does, like whether it requires access to your phone’s camera, microphone, whether it tracks you, what kind of data it gathers from you, and so on. The idea is that this will help users make more informed decisions on what apps they want to use.

Obviously, some developers are concerned that this could have an impact on downloads and usage, which is why it was recently reported that some Chinese tech firms have found a way around the issue through a tool that lets them put up privacy labels but secretly circumvents them. However, this is something that Apple isn’t too thrilled about, according to a report from the Financial Times.

The report claims that Apple has since sent emails to at least two Chinese app developers warning them tracking users without their explicit permission, claiming that if they do not comply within 14 days, their apps will be removed. The previous report had suggested that Apple was aware of these tools and practices, but apparently chose to turn a blind eye.

This is because of how big the Chinese market is to Apple, and they do not want to rock the boat in fear that they might be kicked out and lose customers.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Cellphones
Tags: Apps, iOS, Privacy