Since the iCloud hacking attempts, Apple has taken a firmer stance on privacy and how it safeguards user information and data. With iOS 8, this is becoming more important as Apple is allowing third-party apps to tap into HomeKit for a centralized home automation hub, HealthKit for health and fitness tracking, Apple Pay for payments, and keyboard extensions. As such, Apple is requiring third-party developers to appropriately disclose privacy policies in the iTunes App Store when they list their apps and as required by law.
In its developer portal Friday, Apple told developers:
To ensure that customers understand how their data will be used, you must provide a link in the Privacy Policy URL field in iTunes if a privacy policy is required by law in your country or if your app does 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
What do you think of Apple being more transparent with privacy?
Source: Apple
