20/10/14

Apple Updates Privacy Policy for Apps

Apple updated its privacy policy for apps. Under the new policy, developers must provide a hyperlink in the Privacy Policy URL field in iTunes if a privacy policy is required by law in the developer's country or if the app uses certain types of data. New services, like HealthKit and Apple Pay, will struggle to gain mass adoption until users are convinced that their information is not being misused.

Apple updated its privacy policy for apps. Under the new policy, developers must provide a hyperlink in the Privacy Policy URL field in iTunes if a privacy policy is required by law in the developer's country or if the app uses certain types of data including any of the following:

Accesses user or device data
Offers an account registration process
Accesses a user's existing account
Uses the HomeKit Framework or HealthKit Framework
Integrates Apple Pay
Includes keyboard extensions
Contains auto-renewable subscriptions or free subscriptions
Appears in the Kids Category

Apps must comply with all legal requirements in any location where they are made available to users. With this change Apple is trying to reassure users as new services, like HealthKit and Apple Pay, will struggle to gain mass adoption until users are convinced that their information is not being misused.

For more info about data protection and privacy related to the development of apps and smart phones see time.lex's respective blog posts on FAQs for app developers and the the WP29 opinion on apps for smart devices.

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