All third-party iOS, iPadOS, and macOS apps that allow users to
create an account should also provide a method for terminating
their accounts from within the apps beginning next year, Apple said
on Wednesday.
“This requirement applies to all app submissions starting
January 31, 2022,” the iPhone maker said[1], urging developers to
“review any laws that may require you to maintain certain types of
data, and to make sure your app clearly explains what data your app
collects, how it collects that data, all uses of that data, your
data retention/deletion policies.”
While the feature could be convenient, it’s worth noting that
Apple only says the mechanism should have a provision for users to
“initiate deletion of their account from within the app,” meaning
it’s possible that apps could redirect users to a website or prompt
them to send an email in order actually to purge their
information.
The reminder follows updates to App Store Review Guideline 5.1.1[2] that the company
announced in June that aims to give users more control regarding
data collection, usage, retention, and removal of personal data.
The changes also require app developers to include a link to their
privacy policy that explicitly spells out what kinds of data are
being gathered, how the collection happens, and how it’s being put
to use.
The development also comes after Apple reintroduced a “Report a Problem[3]” link to App Store app
pages on iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey, enabling users to
report concerns with the downloaded apps in an effort to combat
fraud and voice other quality issues. The feature is currently
available for users in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the
U.S., with plans to expand to other regions in the future.
References
- ^
said
(developer.apple.com) - ^
App
Store Review Guideline 5.1.1
(developer.apple.com) - ^
Report a
Problem (www.macrumors.com)