Originally announced at WWDC, the push to bring transiency to data collection of apps on the AppStore continues. Last week, Apple began to require privacy disclosures for AppStore Submissions, detailing the type of data collected and it’s purpose for every app. Going forward every new app, or updated app will likely to be required to disclosure data collection practices in accordance with Apple’s guidance on the matter.
Today, on December 14th once a user upgrades to iOS 14.3 or MacOS Big Sur11.1 those disclosures become publicly available on each App’s Product Page as the apps get updated and approved. Now users will get more information about how their data may be captured and used prior to even downloading the app. It’s not a far cry to assume that ‘greedy’ apps may see less downloads as a result in the coming months for privacy conscience users. Users were even told about this on the download screen and as a dialog once opening the appStore for the first time post upgrade.
You may have noticed I said Phase 1, that’s become Apple has continued to reaffirm that in Q1 2021, prompting for consent in app prior to collection will be required for a number of scenarios. App developers will need to refactor their app to prompt for consent prior to capturing data by displaying a system level prompt as shown below based on the revised AppStore guidelines.
I fully expect that we’ll see slight reduction in app downloads in some cases with the privacy disclosures which are set to become common place in the coming weeks, with the hammer to data collection occurring post holidays once apps are required to obtain consent prior to collection and processing for multiple scenarios.
Brands are running out of time to make ready for these changes, and so I strongly encourage if you run an app on the AppStore to scope and prioritize this work ahead of things which could be delayed to avoid being delisted from the AppStore once the enforcement begins for these new requirements.