Apple removes iOS apps in light of GDPR

Starting just two weeks before the upcoming GDPR, Apple has been removing iOS apps that don’t comply with its location privacy standards.

To remove the iOS apps, Apple has sent emails to the developers whose apps don’t comply with the new regulations.

Despite this, it’s not clear whether Apple is moving in response to the new rules or merely tackling a new category of undesirable apps, according to Developer.

App developers must do more than ask permission to take location data in order to stay compliant with the new rules, as well as need to know where the data is being held.

Privacy Impact Assessments

Developers who aren’t compliant with Apple’s guidelines must remove any code or framework that contravenes the directives, then resubmit their app to the App Store to ensure that users trust the App Store and its listed apps.

Apple wrote in its blog post: “As part of our EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) work, we are undertaking Privacy Impact Assessments (PIA) of our major products and services and integrating PIAs as we develop new products and services.

“We also fully assess all acquisitions. These PIAs take into consideration how laws affect privacy and assess any associated privacy risks.

‘Providing you with support’

“Apple also regularly engages with a wide range of civil society representatives globally on various privacy issues including privacy by design and encryption.

“To make sure your personal information is secure, we strictly enforce privacy safeguards within the company. This means we use access management and access controls commensurate with the risk to data to ensure access to data is associated with a business need, such as providing you with support.”

The American multinational technology company has also removed more than a million apps, including ones that didn’t support modern 64-bit versions of iOS.

Written by Leah Alger

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