Many privacy labels are reportedly false.
Last month, Apple introduced privacy labels on the App Store , giving users a broad overview of the types of data an app might collect and whether the information is used to track it or is linked to their identity or device.
In the past few days, Geoffrey A. Fowler of the Washington Post did a random check and found “more than a dozen” apps with “misleading or even false” privacy labels.
One such app was a game called “Satisfying Slime Simulator,” which Fowler said was sending his iPhone advertising ID and other device information to companies like Facebook, Google, and Unity , despite the privacy label stating “No data collected”.
Subsequently, the reporter discovered that several other apps, including Rumble, Maps.me, FunDo Pro and the famous Match 3D, were sending his smartphone ID – which could be used to track him – to more than a dozen different companies. , despite having a label stating that they only required “data not related to you”.
In response to the report, Apple said it “conducts routine checks of information provided” and works with developers to correct any inaccuracies, adding that “apps that fail to disclose privacy information accurately may be refused updates. future apps or, in some cases, be removed completely from the App Store. “
This issue will be partially addressed by Apple’s upcoming application of a privacy measure it calls App Tracking Transparency. Starting with the upcoming beta of iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and tvOS 14 , developers will be required to obtain a user’s permission to monitor their activity on other apps and websites and access their device’s random advertising identifier, known as Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA).
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