Apple today updated its privacy website with a new section called “Labels,” which lists privacy labels for all Apple apps.
With the title “Transparency is the best policy”, Apple wants to provide users with further information on the new website about how Apple apps handle their personal data. In the Introduction is it [called:
Our privacy labels are designed to help you understand how apps handle your data, including the apps we develop at Apple. This page brings together the privacy labels for our iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS apps in one place.
Apple does not track users
Apple has provided privacy labels for its own apps since the labels feature was introduced last year, albeit on individual support pages. This new Labels section makes it easier by listing all apps in one place and in alphabetical order. Privacy labels are available for Apple's apps in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, so some apps like GarageBand appear more than once. Apple has also included labels for developer tools like Xcode and even the App Store itself, providing a very comprehensive level of privacy information. Cupertino explains that users will not find any data under "Data Used to Track You" because Apple does not track users. Apple emphasizes that the company holds itself to a higher standard than all other developers, who are allowed to track users if they get their permission through the App Tracking Transparency framework, which will be enforced starting with iOS 14.5.
App Store: Data protection labels have been mandatory since December 2020
Since December 2020, developers have been required to disclose a kind of "nutritional labeling" of their applications. This is intended to give consumers a better overview of an app's privacy practices. The new privacy resource describes several important categories to consider, such as data types, data usage, data linked to users, tracking, links to privacy, and how to answer questions about app privacy. According to Apple, the goal is to better inform users about the privacy practices of each application. Apple requires developers to fill out the labels when submitting new apps and app updates to the App Store. But the labels work on an honor system. The company has already stated that it "conducts routine and ongoing reviews of the information provided" and works with developers to correct any inaccuracies. Apps that do not meet the requirements will be removed from the App Store. (Image: Apple)
