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Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

developer.apple.com

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Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#3
Full text of the clause:

> 3.2.2 Unacceptable

> (vi) Apps should allow a user to get what they’ve paid for without performing additional tasks, such as posting on social media, uploading contacts, checking in to the app a certain number of times, etc. Apps should not require users to rate the app, review the app, watch videos, download other apps, tap on advertisements, enable tracking, or take other similar actions in order to access functionality, content, use the app, or receive monetary or other compensation, including but not limited to gift cards and codes.

Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#4
post #2

Anything else wouldn't be GDPR compliant anyways, would it?

In Europe it indeed wouldn't, however GDPR enforcement has been severely lacking despite the potential for significant fines, so Apple taking matters into its own hands (and using its influence and power over the App Store) is very good news.

Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#5
post #3

Full text of the clause: > 3.2.2 Unacceptable > (vi) Apps should allow a user to get what they’ve paid for without performing additional tasks, such as posting on social media, uploading contacts, checking in to the app a certain number of times, etc. Apps should not require users to rate the app, review the app, watch videos, download other apps, tap on advertisements, enable tracking, or take other similar actions…

Amen.

Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#6
post #3

Full text of the clause: > 3.2.2 Unacceptable > (vi) Apps should allow a user to get what they’ve paid for without performing additional tasks, such as posting on social media, uploading contacts, checking in to the app a certain number of times, etc. Apps should not require users to rate the app, review the app, watch videos, download other apps, tap on advertisements, enable tracking, or take other similar actions…

Is this in the usual technical sense of MUST / SHOULD / MAY, or does 'should not' here actually mean 'may not' (as suggested by the category being 'Unacceptable', rather than 'Discouraged')?

(Several other entries are phrased much less ambiguously: "Unacceptable: (i) Creating an interface …", and (ix) is explicitly "Apps must not …" (emphasis mine).)

Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#7
post #3

Full text of the clause: > 3.2.2 Unacceptable > (vi) Apps should allow a user to get what they’ve paid for without performing additional tasks, such as posting on social media, uploading contacts, checking in to the app a certain number of times, etc. Apps should not require users to rate the app, review the app, watch videos, download other apps, tap on advertisements, enable tracking, or take other similar actions…

The clause starts with "get what they've paid for" - does this apply to free apps?

Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#8
post #6
post #3

Full text of the clause: > 3.2.2 Unacceptable > (vi) Apps should allow a user to get what they’ve paid for without performing additional tasks, such as posting on social media, uploading contacts, checking in to the app a certain number of times, etc. Apps should not require users to rate the app, review the app, watch videos, download other apps, tap on advertisements, enable tracking, or take other similar actions…

Is this in the usual technical sense of MUST / SHOULD / MAY, or does 'should not' here actually mean 'may not' (as suggested by the category being 'Unacceptable', rather than 'Discouraged')? (Several other entries are phrased much less ambiguously: "Unacceptable: (i) Creating an interface …", and (ix) is explicitly "Apps must not …" (emphasis mine).)

Apple's guidelines are usually written in soft language to give it wiggle room in case an unexpected scenario arises.

Practically-speaking, if Apple decides an app has violated this provision, the app is toast. No app company on the planet has enough lawyers to challenge Apple on such nit-pickery.

Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#9
post #3

Full text of the clause: > 3.2.2 Unacceptable > (vi) Apps should allow a user to get what they’ve paid for without performing additional tasks, such as posting on social media, uploading contacts, checking in to the app a certain number of times, etc. Apps should not require users to rate the app, review the app, watch videos, download other apps, tap on advertisements, enable tracking, or take other similar actions…

I find that policy entirely acceptable, for the same reasons I think shrink-wrap EULAs should be illegal.

This makes me curious about Apple and iOS / OS X. Does Apple try to require that the user accepts an EULA for the OS after buying Apple hardware?

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