As one of many updates to its App Store Review Guidelines this week, Apple has indicated that parental control app developers are again permitted to use Mobile Device Management (MDM) technology in their apps, so long as they do not sell, use, or disclose any data to third parties for any purpose.

apple screen time screen icons
An excerpt from the newly added Guideline 5.5:

You must make a clear declaration of what user data will be collected and how it will be used on an app screen prior to any user action to purchase or otherwise use the service. MDM apps must not violate local laws. Apps offering MDM services may not sell, use, or disclose to third parties any data for any purpose, and must commit to this in their privacy policy. Apps that do not comply with this guideline will be removed from the App Store and you may be removed from the Apple Developer Program.

This comes a little over a month after The New York Times reported that Apple had removed or restricted many of the most popular screen time and parental control apps on the App Store since launching its own Screen Time feature in iOS 12 last year, raising concerns over potentially anticompetitive behavior.

In response to the report, Apple said it had discovered that some parental control apps were using MDM, putting the privacy and security of children at risk.

"These apps were using an enterprise technology that provided them access to kids' highly sensitive personal data," an Apple spokesperson said in a statement issued to The New York Times on Monday. "We do not think it is O.K. for any apps to help data companies track or optimize advertising of kids."

MDM technology is intended for enterprise users to manage their company-owned devices, and Apple said the use of MDM by consumer-focused apps carried privacy and security concerns that resulted in the company addressing the situation in its ‌App Store‌ Review Guidelines in 2017.

Backlash quickly mounted from parental control app developers, who eventually joined together to petition Apple to "put kids first" by releasing a public API for its Screen Time for use by developers. That never happened, with Apple going down this route instead and allowing MDM usage with stricter privacy requirements.

Apple's updated guidelines also indicate that parental control apps from "approved providers" may use one of its Personal VPN APIs.

Apple has faced increasing scrutiny over its ‌App Store‌ and potentially anticompetitive business practices, ranging from Spotify's complaint to multiple class action lawsuits. In response, Apple said it "welcomes competition" on the App Store, which only serves to make it a "better" platform.

Top Rated Comments

Kabeyun Avatar
59 months ago
I think this is the wrong solution. Unfortunate that they chose MDM over providing screen time APIs to developers.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HopefulHumanist Avatar
59 months ago
I think this is the wrong solution. Unfortunate that they chose MDM over providing screen time APIs to developers.
Well it’s gonna take time for them to release the APIs; this problem was only recently discovered. This is a decent stop-gap until the APIs are released.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MatthewUT44 Avatar
59 months ago
Helicopter parents were gonna revolt so hard lol Apple
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BootsWalking Avatar
59 months ago
There's no question the recent DOJ antitrust news factored into Apple's decision. If history has proven anything it's that Apple responds to legal threats, be they from private class action suits or from federal agencies.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
59 months ago
Well it’s gonna take time for them to release the APIs; this problem was only recently discovered. This is a decent stop-gap until the APIs are released.
I agree with @Kabeyun and @BootsWalking This is the wrong solution and it sends a contradictory message.
What happened to putting the privacy and security of children at risk? Aren't those same supposed risks still there? Apple did nothing to mitigate the supposed risks, they just reversed the decision regarding MDM. The devs can still collect the same info they were collecting before.

I think you're right that it will take time to develop API's - which is the correct decision imo. Not so right in thinking this is a decent stop-gap. This reads more like a reversal to mitigate the anti competitive claims.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

26 New Things Your iPhone Can Do With Next Month's iOS 17.2 Update

Wednesday November 22, 2023 10:57 pm PST by
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers in October. Since then we've seen two more betas, and with each iteration Apple continues to add more new features and changes, many of which users have been anticipating for quite a while. Below, we've listed 26 new things that are coming to your iPhone when the finalized version is publicly released in December. 1. Help You...
Apple Watch Series 9

5 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's Apple Watch

Friday November 24, 2023 3:46 am PST by
With all the discounted deals on Apple tech currently available, you might be thinking about upgrading your Apple Watch or buying one for the first time. But if your current smartwatch is doing its job just fine and it's only the idea of a good deal that's piqued your interest, it could be worth holding out until next year when Apple unveils its latest and greatest version. There are already ...
General Black Friday Deals 2022 Green

40+ Apple Black Friday Deals Still Available for AirPods, iPhone, iPad and More

Friday November 24, 2023 5:01 am PST by
Black Friday 2023 has officially ended, but we're still tracking some of the best deals of the year on Apple products like AirPods, iPad, iPhone, MacBook, and many more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically, in this article we're...
Cyber Monday Deals Feature 2022

40+ Apple Cyber Monday Deals for AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 26, 2023 9:47 am PST by
Cyber Monday has taken the place of Black Friday, and you'll find many of the same deals still around today. This includes dozens of record low prices on Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iPhone, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the...
ipad mini 2021 youtube

What to Expect From the Next iPad Mini Later in 2024

Friday November 24, 2023 1:00 pm PST by
Over 800 days have passed since Apple last updated the iPad mini, as outlined in the MacRumors Buyer's Guide. Fortunately, a new iPad mini is rumored to be released next year, and we have outlined what to expect from the device below. Apple released the current iPad mini in September 2021, with new features at the time including a larger 8.3-inch display, a USB-C port, a Touch ID power...