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Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

developer.apple.com

151–160 of 515 posts

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#151

What about inmutable systems? My app (using scuttlebutt) creates an 'account' but it's located as crypto keys only within the app and apple keychain. So far the apple reviewers refused to believe that it works like. It's open source, they've got the code... but still.... Same is true for anything crypto. The account as it were exists on many devices, but it's not something you as the app creator can manage. I think a…

This is why using the blockchain got user data is such a stupid idea. The immutability makes it impossible to redact or remove information, even if that information is encrypted. The same is true foor P2P services where there is no central accounting system. Deleting the account shouldn't be a problem if all the "account" info is stored on the device itself, so if your reviewers aren't completely incompetent I don't…

You can have decentralized p2p systems that respect users (allow deletes). One example would be Gun which allows you to “tombstone” your data. Just overwrite it with a blank.

A new version of Scuttlebutt allows tombstoning too.

I think mutable should be the default. Make it all ephemeral with optional permanence.

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#152
post #2

Wonder if this can be used to unsubscribe from The NY Times?

People need to learn to just use registered mail. Yes, it's ridiculous that it's necessary, but the postage and hassle is probably less than dealing with those intentional hurdles.

Alternatively, if the US legal system allows it and you can find a number: Fax. This has the advantage that it can be automated on your end so it's not much more hassle than a quick e-mail, and the delivery receipt (yes, trivially spoofable in theory, but I would assume it's widely accepted in practice) also shows what the content of the message was.

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#153

Is this now perhaps the easiest way to remove your Facebook account? Future guides will be like: 1) Buy an Apple device 2) Download and sign in to Facebook app 3) Click delete account button

huh? you can deactivate and delete your FB account through Facebook...why would this be easier?

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's simple. Don't offer account deletion. You comply with both in that case.

> all apps that allow for account creation must also allow users to initiate deletion of their account from within the app No, that doesn't seem true.

What bank lets you create an account just from the app?

… Okay, the digital-only ones, maybe. But virtually all other banks I've used make you go to a branch.

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#155
post #9

The problem is that Apple has absolutely no way to enforce the deletion. An app can say "your account is deleted" but not actually delete any data off their servers. What would really give users the control they deserve is the ability to restrict what data can be sent off the device by an app in the first place. Apple should make it possible to deny internet access to an app entirely, and they should provide an API t…

Do you really think it's a good idea to lie to Apple and to the public about your data deletion policies? Do you really think bad actors won't be found out eventually? Is it worth the risk to your business?

I think there is a point there. “Soft” deletions are relatively common in relational databases. Do we know that Apple means a “hard” deletion of data? Apple says to include your retention and deletion policies in the App description, so maybe that’s where people would need to come clean on soft deletions?

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's simple. Don't offer account deletion. You comply with both in that case.

> all apps that allow for account creation must also allow users to initiate deletion of their account from within the app No, that doesn't seem true.

Does that apply if you automatically create an "account"?

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is why using the blockchain got user data is such a stupid idea. The immutability makes it impossible to redact or remove information, even if that information is encrypted. The same is true foor P2P services where there is no central accounting system. Deleting the account shouldn't be a problem if all the "account" info is stored on the device itself, so if your reviewers aren't completely incompetent I don't…

> This is why using the blockchain got user data is such a stupid idea. maybe for you, but there are use cases...

There are use-cases for blockchain.¹ However, storing user data is not one of them.

¹: All of them are silly, or could be done better with something else, but that's not relevant to the point I'm trying to make.

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#159
post #2

Wonder if this can be used to unsubscribe from The NY Times?

This is mostly an internet meme, I subscribed and cancelled from the NYT many times without an issue with their online chat.

I canceled by clicking a button. NYT very much knows I'm in Texas, not California. It was so easy I almost signed back up...

Re: Apple requires account deletion within apps in AppStore starting January 31

#160
post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I should be able to tell my credit card company that I'm ending a subscription, and have them be in charge of notifying the provider that the subscription has been terminated

Any banks that offer this service? I would switch my primary banking service for this.

You can kind of get close to this using merchant-specific card numbers from privacy.com (not affiliated). If you want to cancel a subscription, you just deactivate the number associated with that subscription.
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