Apple Forces Developers to Remove Screen Recording Code From iOS Apps [Update]

[PickUrPoison]

I’m certain they (Apple) are still finding ways to take advantage of/exploit us in ways which we are unaware, however, I applaud them for this. Thank you, Apple.

Although this is a positive post, I do find it strange that they weren’t aware of this. Or is this a, well-people-now-know-so-lets-do-something-about-it type-thing?

Strange... your saying “I’m certain they (Apple) are still finding ways to take advantage of/exploit us in ways which we are unaware” and “I do find it strange that they weren’t aware of this” and “is this a, well-people-now-know-so-lets-do-something-about-it type-thing?” doesn’t really make your post seem all that positive.

 

[I7guy]

Little after the fact. Good job Apple.

 

[5105973]

Why are these creepy companies spying on my phone? This doesn't even begin to discuss the cellular bandwidth to feed these creepy companies the data they get from spying on you. I smell class action lawsuit against these creeps.

Add our carriers to the list of creeps. They're still selling our precise location data to brokers who apparently sell it to just about anyone from bounty hunters to used car salesmen. They were called out on this already and promised to stop but that article from today on Android Central shows they haven't

If we want privacy apparently we need to become wizards and use owls for communication.

 

[lewdvig]

Why are these creepy companies spying on my phone? This doesn't even begin to discuss the cellular bandwidth to feed these creepy companies the data they get from spying on you. I smell class action lawsuit against these creeps.

Yeah, this would be one of those rare class actions lawsuits that I would fully support. It should be directed at the perpetrating companies, maybe the enablers (apple, google/android) and the middleware makers (who have never asked for or gotten consent from individuals).

The lack of concern over this stuff is kind of shocking. Average people are totally OK with this. They are too stupid to inform themselves and just stupid enough to buy whatever these companies turn around and sell them.

Does anyone know of a list of other similar middleware and what apps use them? I will delete them all and cancel any related services. I found this for starters:

https://www.glassboxdigital.com/company/who-we-work-with/

I miss my unconnected iPod and Nokia 3220.

 

[citysnaps]

Do we really all think Apple didn’t know about the services that company as big as Glassbox provided?

They must have been aware of the possibilities that Glassbox gave (something similar has been an option with Google Analytics for years), but have let it slide until they have been under heavy scrutiny, especially with the privacy issues they have been having recently.

Unfortunately, I think all of this is a "saving face" in the midst of all the other problems.

Whatever the case is, I’m not at all convinced that Apple has never heard (or saw in action) what Glassbox did with their clients

I can't speak for the "we," but only for myself. It sounds like you believe Apple has been aware of this situation and just let it go on and on.

Let's say that were true (I do not believe it to be the case). And that Apple has known about companies exploiting captured actions/analytics data from iPhones. What would Apple's motivation be for letting that situation slide, as you suggest? Be specific.

Easy enough for Apple to give everyone a one day notice, as they in fact did. Why wouldn't Apple do that months/years ago when it's so easy to say no, with a one day notice.

 

[supercoolmanchu]

That walled garden of the App store really has some holes on the fence.

Well it’s a pretty amazing garden, no surprise the vermin keep trying to gnaw thru.

 

[bobob]

Any reason why Apple waits until the media makes a big deal about it before doing anything about it?

Can you please provide a link to how many bugs Apple fixed in 2018 before there was any media attention.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear that that number is in the hundreds.

If a tree falls in the forest and MacRumors isn't outraged, does it make a sound?

 

[MikeSmoke]

Put this in perspective. Can you imagine what a mess the iWorld would be if it were completely open? It is not possible for Apple to take apart and reconstruct the code for every app in the ecosystem to find everything that can be snuck in. It is rare that something like this gets by and now it is out in the open and action is being taken. All in all I can turn on an Apple device and feel secure.

 

[miamialley]

They're burying the lead, "Apple didn't know apps record users screens."

 

[Heineken]

Read the ******** Glassbox statement. Just disgusting.

 

[0924487]

More importantly, how did Apple miss this in their review? Why is it lately incumbent on journalists to police this kind of stuff?

the review is mostly a review of the content and the features.

To detect those plugin code, it's not that easy. You would need AI to detect it.

Now, you look at Siri.

You have the answer to why Apple can't pull that off.

 

[citysnaps]

Put this in perspective. Can you imagine what a mess the iWorld would be if it were completely open? It is not possible for Apple to take apart and reconstruct the code for every app in the ecosystem to find everything that can be snuck in. It is rare that something like this gets by and now it is out in the open and action is being taken. All in all I can turn on an Apple device and feel secure.

Sadly, I don't think many here are capable of doing that. Rather, they are naive believing 100% perfection exists with complex software and systems, and can't fathom why Apple doesn't hit that.

Yet they are totally fine when other situations/decisions/actions/directions/choices in their personal lives don't even come close to being 100% perfect. But apparently that's OK and totally acceptable.

 

[pat500000]

Any reason why Apple waits until the media makes a big deal about it before doing anything about it? Calculator bug, Group FaceTime bug, etc. Come on, Apple. Get it together. I'm starting to feel like everything they do is a PR stunt. Like if this information wasn't released to the public Apple would have just let the apps continue recording all our screens.

It is pr stunt. To save apple sauce face.

 

[KPandian1]

Yet they are totally fine when other situations/decisions/actions/directions/choices in their personal lives don't even come close to being 100% perfect. But apparently that's OK and totally acceptable.

Like signing up for FaceBook or Instagram with real details.

 

[lederermc]

Anytime I hear the phrase, "improve online customer experiences" I know it's a lot of crap.

 

[jeremiah256]

These apps are connecting back to secured servers. Apple may see the communications during their review process, but if those communications are encrypted (as they bloody well should be), Apple has no way of knowing whether the data being sent are requests for data ("Trip for 3 to Newark on 03 March 2019 at 5PM, cheapest flight"), data on the screen and UI status, or most likely, both.

Don't be afraid of accepting something good when it happens. This is good, and there's no one else doing it.

Perfect is the enemy of good

 

[Timemaster]

Honestly while what apple is doing seems good in theory it honestly going to hurt developers.

There are tons of services that can collect data like this companies and devs can use. Very few of them require user opting in. I personally use firebase (used to be fabric) and it is the one of the first things I put in on a new app. Reason being is the crash data is provides blows apples system out of the water and I do not have to deal with the people who only opt in which is sadly less than 10%. That data is super useful.

The logs are better than Apples. With other hooks I can at least get the work flow users are doing pretty easy. This lets us make better apps.

If apple moves against all these systems it will be a mess and going to hurt developers in the long run. Now this system might be a little far but still blocking it can also cause issues.

 

[drumcat]

How dare imperfect people oversee app guideline control at Apple. Apple should hire 3 full-time people per app, so that there can be constant 24hr review and vigilance of all code. It doesn't matter if no apps (and subsequent updates) make it to the store, and OS / iOS development stops. What matters, is making sure people at Apple read and analyze every line of code against every possible usage, lest something falls by the wayside.

/s

I appreciate the sarcasm, but this wasn't a *single* app. That's the thing; it's systemic. So instead of bleating on about vigilance sarcastically, consider that at a wider level this wasn't a check on ALL apps. This could have been an automated test, and doesn't involve any extra manpower outside of test automation creation.

 

[jeremiah256]

Honestly while what apple is doing seems good in theory it honestly going to hurt developers.

There are tons of services that can collect data like this companies and devs can use. Very few of them require user opting in. I personally use firebase (used to be fabric) and it is the one of the first things I put in on a new app. Reason being is the crash data is provides blows apples system out of the water and I do not have to deal with the people who only opt in which is sadly less than 10%. That data is super useful.

The logs are better than Apples. With other hooks I can at least get the work flow users are doing pretty easy. This lets us make better apps.

If apple moves against all these systems it will be a mess and going to hurt developers in the long run. Now this system might be a little far but still blocking it can also cause issues.

I'm actually trying to think of one app that provides "...a clear visual indication when recording, logging, or otherwise making a record of user activity." I've opted-in with several apps when it comes to providing analysis, and I don't even recall Apple's own apps doing this.

Anyone have an example?

 

[MikeSmoke]

Apple learned from the “battery slowdown scandal” that many people are more concerned with not being told something is going on in the background, than with whether that thing going on in the background is actually an intelligent decision given the circumstances.

 

[pat500000]

For the most part Apple seems to be only about perception these days. Back in the day, Apple backed up the perception with top notch products. Best in class performance, best in class tech specs, etc. If not best in class then so close it did not matter.

Today, not so much. Today there are no Apple apps that are best in class except maybe Logic. And Logic is hampered by poor or inconsistently updated hardware.

Privacy seems to be only important when Cook is in front of the cameras. Run of the mill Apple engineers are not given the time, schedule, staff, or money to make sure Apple stuff works right and respects Apple's privacy goals. This is what we see every day and is the result of a finance guy running a software development company. What comes first to Cook is schedule, then profits, then Wall Street, then bonuses, and finally the customer.

We'll see more and more of Apple not living up to its product quality goals as long as Cook is at the helm. Cook will however hit all of the non-tangible non-product goals like green, diversity, etc. That is his expertise. We know this because that is what he enjoys communicating about. That is what he has a passion about.

Sounds like tim is ready to leave.

 

[1050792]

Apple learned from the “battery slowdown scandal” that many people are more concerned with not being told something is going on in the background, than with whether that thing going on in the background is actually an intelligent decision given the circumstances.

So it's fine to spy iPhones aslong as the user doesn't see it? That's what you just said.

 

[citysnaps]

I'm actually trying to think of one app that provides "...a clear visual indication when recording, logging, or otherwise making a record of user activity." I've opted-in with several apps when it comes to providing analysis, and I don't even recall Apple's own apps doing this.

Anyone have an example?

I haven't thought about this a lot. But...every voice recorder app (including Apple's) puts a microphone symbol at the top of the screen when recording. Locations services does something similar. Ditto when using the phone app.

Have a feeling there are many more.

 

[MikeSmoke]

So it's fine to spy iPhones aslong as the user doesn't see it? That's what you just said.

I didn’t say that at all. It was directed toward the many benign useful practices that are part of the game but violate privacy nonetheless. I fully expect, and want Apple to be strict.

 

[1050792]

I didn’t say that at all. It was directed toward the many benign useful practices that are part of the game but violate privacy nonetheless. I fully expect, and want Apple to be strict.

From your previous quote it seemed like you compared the battery slowdown scandal of how it was hidden from the users to the Apps recording the screen, not having some kind of "notification" to warn the user of what the App was doing.