Apple Is Now Rejecting Apps That Use Third-Party SDKs To Collect User Data Without Consent

It seems that Apple is pretty serious about maintaining and protecting the privacy of its users. Not too long ago, Apple introduced a new requirement that asked that developers list out what kind of data their apps collect on users, thus giving users more transparency and to help them make more informed decisions.

Now Apple is taking things further as according to a report by analyst Eric Seufert, Apple is said to be now rejecting apps from the App Store if they are found to be using third-party SDKs that collect data on users without their consent. These SDKs basically use a method known as device fingerprinting, where it records the name of the device model, the IP address, and other types of identifiable information.

Per a number of developers, Apple has begun rejecting app updates that include the Adjust SDK related to its collection of data used for device fingerprinting.

— Eric Seufert (@eric_seufert) April 1, 2021

This is usually used to help the developer understand their audience and users better, and also to sell personalized ads. While this kind of tracking isn’t illegal, Apple still seems to want to crack down on it, especially if it involves the user not knowing about it and thus unable to give their consent.

One of the SDKs, Adjust SDK, seems to be targeted here. This wouldn’t really be an issue if the developer behind the SDK were to comply with Apple’s guidelines, but it seems that they aren’t interested in doing that at the moment.

Filed in Apple >Cellphones. Read more about Apps, iOS and Privacy. Source: 9to5mac