Apple is laying down the law for app developers who include pieces of code that allow their apps to record how a person uses their iPhone.
According to a report from TechCrunch, Apple has told developers that their apps face removal from the App Store if they don't comply with Apple's rules about the use of analytical code that can record how a person uses their phone. The company has said that developers must either remove such code from their apps, or make it explicitly known to app users about the code, or Apple will remove those apps from the App Store.
"We have notified the developers that are in violation of these strict privacy terms and guidelines, and will take immediate action if necessary," Apple said, according to a statement TechCrunch said it received from the company. Apple didn't immediately return a request for comment from this news organization.
At issue is Glassbox, an analytics tool that TechCrunch said is used in the apps of Expedia and Hotels.com, and others. Glassbox is designed to make customers' experiences better, but it can record any text a person puts into an app, as well as record a person's other actions such as tapping and swiping on times. That information is then sent back to an app's developers.
In addition tracking a person's actions within an app, there are concerns that the Glassbox tool could give hackers to ability to gain unauthorized access to a person's credit card information and other personal data.
