Apple to Require Developers to Include Privacy Policy in Apps

Starting October 3, 2018, Apple will require all app developers to include a privacy policy in their products, detailing exactly how user data will be handled. This new rule applies to all apps, including those in testing phases.

New Rules for App Developers

Apple announced these changes during a developer forum. In addition to mandating the presence of a privacy policy, developers are prohibited from making changes to the policy until a new version of the app is released.

Privacy Policy Guidelines

While Apple does not set strict requirements for the content of privacy policies, the company provides a set of recommendations. These include:

• Specifying what data the app collects
• Describing how the data is collected and used
• Explaining how users can withdraw consent or request deletion of their data

Additionally, Apple requires developers to confirm that any third parties with whom they share data will provide “the same or equal protection of user data.”