Apple's New App Store Guidelines Restrict Apps From Harvesting Data From iPhone Users' Friends

[bluecoast]

So you'd basically need to grant permissions each time you want to do something like that? Pretty sure quite a few people would be complaining about that.

I’d say ‘yeah I agree’ a few years ago but I’m not sure now. People are waking up to what’s been going on, slowly but surely.

 

[C DM]

I’d say ‘yeah I agree’ a few years ago but I’m not sure now. People are waking up to what’s been going on, slowly but surely.

Something more practical that is somewhere in-between the two extremes is likely the better option (even if it might still not be the best for everyone).

 

[BWhaler]

This is great, but wish it was years ago. The horse is out-of-the-barn. But good for Apple for making the change; respect for our privacy is one of the top reasons I remain a customer. (Not a trivial bar as I sit here typing on this junk keyboard on the latest (underwhelming) MBP.

 

[Jyby]

Science Rules!

 

[bluecoast]

Something more practical that is somewhere in-between the two extremes is likely the better option (even if it might still not be the best for everyone).

True. Perhaps iOS 13 will bring a way to allow you to limit app access to only certain albums in your library.

Or maybe you could copy / move photos into a Secure Enclave area where you as a user had absolute confidence that apps could only access this area and not your wider library.

 

[Unimpossible]

So you'd basically need to grant permissions each time you want to do something like that? Pretty sure quite a few people would be complaining about that.

It should be down to spesifics like that, yes. If you'd like.

 

[341328]

This is good but about 8 years too late!!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Good move by Apple, even though it should have been done long ago.

Apple trying to look out for our security and privacy as best they can, is one of the reasons I stick with them. Notice (forum members) I didn't say or animate that Apple is perfect in this area, or that they don't have more they can do. The point is Apple continues to make positive steps in the aforementioned area(s), in my opinion. Just wanted to go ahead and address what some would likely read into my post. That way, I hopefully save myself time by not having to respond to such retorts.

 

[Unimpossible]

Good move by Apple, even though it should have been done long ago.

Apple trying to look out for our security and privacy as best they can, is one of the reasons I stick with them. Notice (forum members) I didn't say or animate that Apple is perfect in this area, or that they don't have more they can do. The point is Apple continues to make positive steps in the aforementioned area(s), in my opinion. Just wanted to go ahead and address what some would likely read into my post. That way, I hopefully save myself time by not having to respond to such retorts.

I don't know if this move comes now because Apple "looks out for our privacy", or because of GDPR.
Either way it's a good move, just not so sure about the motive.

 

[expiredyogurt]

so facebook's new app will be a wrapper to their mobile site then? as usual, no consequences to the big name companies that have been taking advantage of this since the beginning

 

[lec0rsaire]

So you'd basically need to grant permissions each time you want to do something like that? Pretty sure quite a few people would be complaining about that.

It would be the best solution but you’re right. The average Joe and Jane would be going ******* and complaining about constantly being nagged with prompts. These are the same people who take these stupid quizzes that Cambridge Analytica used to steal everyone’s data.

 

[ovo6]

Well hopefully they do something for the apps that actually do it

 

[C DM]

It would be the best solution but you’re right. The average Joe and Jane would be going ******* and complaining about constantly being nagged with prompts. These are the same people who take these stupid quizzes that Cambridge Analytica used to steal everyone’s data.

To be fair, there are plenty who don't do those type of things but would still be inconvenienced by something like this every single time. I mean look at the change where to delete message threads in the Messages app there's no a confirmation that appears and people that complain about that on these forums here. There's something about usability that has to balance things out along with everything else as well.

 

[macfacts]

Perhaps I didn't read the above "Apple guidelines" carefully enough but the words "should not," and "do not," don't actually restrict apps from harvesting the data or building the profiles that they're not supposed to do anymore! Am I missing something?

These new rules are based on the honor system. The developer just has to click a check box before clicking "I agree".

 

[manu chao]

So you'd basically need to grant permissions each time you want to do something like that? Pretty sure quite a few people would be complaining about that.

With photos this could be handled in a way that whenever you want to use a photo in an app the OS doesn’t give the app access to the whole library but instead kicks you over into the Photos app which then sends back only the one selected image. Preferably this would be done in a way that makes the Photos app appear as an overlay to the image-requesting app.

 

[JimmyHook]

I’m so happy a company like Apple exists. Google and Facebook, who only exist to siphon your personal data to shove ads down your throat, are the worst kind of evil
[doublepost=1528858043][/doublepost]

These new rules are based on the honor system. The developer just has to click a check box before clicking "I agree".

False. Don’t comment if you plan on lying. Don’t get mad because your Samsung phone is vulnerable to malware

 

[C DM]

I’m so happy a company like Apple exists. Google and Facebook, who only exist to siphon your personal data to shove ads down your throat, are the worst kind of evil
[doublepost=1528858043][/doublepost]
False. Don’t comment if you plan on lying. Don’t get mad because your Samsung phone is vulnerable to malware

Interesting evil that has only done nothing but that and didn't have anything to do with contributing all kinds of things to how the internet and a lot of other things work in the world and how people are able to do and accomplish a lot of things.

 

[Tech198]

Gimme back the old App Store look

 

[ranReloaded]

(v) Do not contact people using information collected via a user's Contacts or Photos, except at the explicit initiative of that user on an individualized basis; do not include a Select All option or default the selection of all contacts. You must provide the user with a clear description of how the message will appear to the recipient before sending it (e.g. What will the message say? Who will appear to be the sender?).

LinkedIn, anyone?

 

[Karllake]

Something more practical that is somewhere in-between the two extremes is likely the better option (even if it might still not be the best for everyone).

I think something along the lines of the option for location that was forced in recently that all apps must have an option for ‘only when using the app’, for me permission to use photos or contacts should be on a ‘specific use basis’ and every time you are asked for permission this should be the default.

WhatsApp needing to access my contacts so I don’t have to manage 2 contacts list makes sense in a ‘specific use basis’, it doesn’t mean I agree they can harvest and sell that data.

‘Specific use’ could have very clear rules, all data has to stay on the phone, only data accessed by the user is allowed, etc

A second option for ‘wider use’, that would need to be an opt in.

I would personally set the option to default ‘specific use only’ on without being asked again, it’s obvious to me I want my scanner app to use the camera when I need it but I don’t want my scanner app download/upload all my other photos. This shouldn’t be intrusive.

For me it like asking if you want windows in your house, you answer yes and get cameras installed looking in the windows, you shouldn’t have to specify the fact you don’t cameras every time you say yes to wanting windows.

 

[himanshumodi]

This is excellent. I usually forbid apps from accessing my contacts unless I really know the app.

But does one ever reallllly know the app?

 

[Creepitor]

This is why I almost always say "no" when apps ask for access to my contacts. It feels like selling out my friends.

The problem is that everyone has friends who are unaware of what they’re giving free by accepting acces to the Contacts app, some time ago Facebook kept me reminding that I had to enter my phone number for a security purpose, I never entered it and at a certain point in time it suggested my phone number correctly by itself, probably because a few of my friends shared their contacts information with them, including my name and linked phone number, I’m not going to blame my friends for that, it’s just frustrating that it is possible for apps to let you share information without you even knowing what you’re doing, I think this is a good change for the App Store.

 

[bluecoast]

The problem is that everyone has friends who are unaware of what they’re giving free by accepting acces to the Contacts app, some time ago Facebook kept me reminding that I had to enter my phone number for a security purpose, I never entered it and at a certain point in time it suggested my phone number correctly by itself, probably because a few of my friends shared their contacts information with them, including my name and linked phone number, I’m not going to blame my friends for that, it’s just frustrating that it is possible for apps to let you share information without you even knowing what you’re doing, I think this is a good change for the App Store.

That’s really creepy (of Facebook).

 

[Kaibelf]

so facebook's new app will be a wrapper to their mobile site then? as usual, no consequences to the big name companies that have been taking advantage of this since the beginning

Let’s not act like small companies aren’t abusive as well. Last I heard Cambridge Analytica wasn’t a conglomerate when they got raked over the coals.

 

[d5aqoëp]

Right now my friends and family must have shared all my contact details including my address, DOB, my workplace, my family tree without my consent. So now all the companies in the world have all my private data.

This clause by Apple is for namesake only.

PS: So far, I have never allowed Facebook access to my contacts or photos. I have only shared my contacts with WhatsApp when it was not owned by Facebook.

So if I add a contact to my contact list, WhatsApp picks it up and within few days, I magically start seeing the same person in Friend Suggestions on my Facebook.