Apple to tighten app privacy, remove apps that don't comply

Apple to tighten app privacy, remove apps that don't comply
In this Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 file photo, the logo of Apple is illuminated at a store in the city center of Munich, Germany. Apple is stepping up privacy for app users, forcing developers to be more transparent about data collection and warning they could be removed if they don't comply with a new anti-tracking measure, a company executive and regulators said Tuesday Dec. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

Apple is stepping up privacy for app users, forcing developers to be more transparent about data collection and warning they could be removed if they don't comply with a new anti-tracking measure, a company executive and regulators said Tuesday.

The U.S. tech giant said it's set to roll out the anti-tracking feature next year and warned it could kick apps off its widely used App Store if they don't obey its requirements.

Called App Tracking Transparency, it will require apps to clearly ask for users' permission before tracking them. It was due to be launched this year but was delayed to allow developers more time to make changes.

"Its aim is to empower our users to decide when or if they want to allow an app to track them in a way that could be shared across other companies' apps or websites," Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi said.

"Developers who fail to meet the standard can have their apps taken down from the app store," Federighi said in an subject of complaints by European privacy activists who say the company uses software that tracks the behavior of iPhone users. Vienna-based group NOYB, founded by lawyer and activist Max Schrems, last month asked data protection authorities in Germany and Spain to examine the legality of unique codes that they say amount to tracking without users' knowledge or consent, a practice banned under strict European Union privacy rules.

In a separate policy update, apps in the App Store will soon start giving users more details about the personal data they use, Britain's apnews.com/apf-technology

© 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Citation: Apple to tighten app privacy, remove apps that don't comply (2020, December 8) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://techxplore.com/news/2020-12-apple-tighten-app-privacy-apps.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Apple delays debut of anti-tracking tool in iPhone software

5 shares

Feedback to editors