Apple to Publish Privacy Labels for Preinstalled iOS Apps on Website

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Apple today assured that its new requirement for privacy information on the App Store will apply equally to all iOS apps, including its own.

appstoreprivacy
This means that the dozens of Apple apps available through the App Store, such as Apple Books and Apple Podcasts, will display the same privacy "nutritional labels" as third-party apps. And for built-in iOS apps, like Messages, Apple says that it will make the same privacy information available to users on its website. Apple says this information will be presented in the same way as it appears on the App Store.

This clarification comes in response to Facebook-owned WhatsApp accusing Apple of a double standard with the privacy labels. WhatsApp said that the broad terms displayed in the labels could result in users being concerned about the data that WhatsApp collects, putting it at a competitive disadvantage compared to Apple's built-in Messages app.

Developers are required to include this new privacy information when submitting new apps and app updates to the App Store as of December 8. It is unknown when exactly the privacy labels will begin appearing in the ‌App Store‌.

Apple's developer portal offers more information about the new privacy detail requirements.

Tag: App Store

Top Rated Comments

cmaier Avatar
cmaier
8 months ago
not really sure why facebook wants to pick a privacy fight. They won't come out looking good.
Score: 48 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I7guy Avatar
I7guy
8 months ago
Good that Apple is "eating their own dogfood" as the saying goes. Will go a long way towards mitigating the responses of the critics, who believe Apple plays unfairly.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ozzymo Avatar
ozzymo
8 months ago

Why can't everyone trust that Apple is a straightforward and honorable company?

I got a guy at work that lumps Apple in with Google, Amazon, and Facebook as shady data-collecting monsters. I had to laugh because he was so adamant about it: no changing his mind.
Wow dude. Seriously. That is scary. I hope you're being sarcastic and I missed the tone. We should all just trust Apple because Tim Cook says so and because they make sexy phones. Wow!
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smithrh Avatar
smithrh
8 months ago

They handled this perfectly by responding quickly and ensuring that it ends fast and in their favor.
Even better than that.

I'm sure Apple absolutely knew that some poor, downtrodden company would trot that position out sooner or later.

They waited for the other company to complain, then they countered.

Let the other player make the opening gambit and then respond - with what you were always going to do anyways.

Smart.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tzm41 Avatar
tzm41
8 months ago

Who says that?
WhatsApp...
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/12/09/whatsapp-protests-app-store-privacy-requirements/
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nvmls Avatar
nvmls
8 months ago
There Facebook. Keep the next cry coming.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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