The company on Monday began releasing new labels that explain what kind of user data is being collected and shared for each application. From financial and location information to browsing and purchasing history. Labels will be added to additional applications in the coming days.
Developers must have previously had a privacy policy and link it to their App Store product page, but new labels will compile them into a more digestible, visual format. They will be displayed next to reviews and details about in-app purchases.
The label has three main categories: “data used to track you” such as information collected for advertising purposes; “Data associated with you” or data associated with the user’s identity in the application, device or other details; And “data not linked to you”, which is data collected but not linked to an account.
Apple said the effort was aimed at making it easier for people to understand when accessing or sharing data, so users will be surprised to find out what was collected later. But there are some questions about implementation.
Last month, Apple sent a questionnaire to developers inquiring about its data collection practices. The company said developers who have not yet completed it will not be able to update existing applications until they do so. If data collection practices change after the information is provided, they must be resubmitted to the questionnaire.
It is not yet clear how many times developers have to self-report and how Apple oversees the high number of responses. Apple did not immediately respond to a question on the matter.
“Self-reporting can be a slippery slope, and Apple needs to be transparent, at least in terms of the contract, what developers are asking to do, and the changes that follow,” said Ramon Lamas, director of research at market intelligence agency ITC.
Unable to push the app update, Apple may have to implement policies with drastic consequences, he said. “For consumers, look at what happens if their favorite app is even temporarily removed. It destroys trust in the app and the developer, and looking for alternative applications becomes a very viable option.”
The new label requirement for Apple CNN Business applies to those already installed Apps like iMessage Camera and clock function. Labels for these applications live on Apple.com as they are not available in the App Store.