In brief
Apple’s new App Store rules restrict developers’ use of iPhone contact information, prohibit creating databases from that information and require user consent for using it for a different purpose. Developers who violate the rules may be barred from listing their apps.
App developers’ use of users’ personal data is a topic of considerable concern. To provide further protection for users’ personal data, Apple has introduced new measures.
According to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday, Apple changed its App Store rules last week to restrict developers’ collection, use and sharing of information about iPhone users’ phone contacts.
Previously, some app developers would request access to users’ phone contacts and use that data for marketing. Some developers would even share or sell the data without permission from the people on those contact lists. However, the new App Store Review Guidelines prohibit developers from creating databases using information obtained from iPhone owners’ contacts and restrict them from sharing those databases with third parties or selling them.
In addition, unless developers obtain users’ consent, apps may not access users’ contact lists while claiming to use the information for one purpose and then using it for another. Developers who violate the rules may be barred from listing their apps on the App Store.
Original article URL: https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-changes-app-store-rules-to-restrict-developers-access-use-of-data/