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posted by janrinok on Sunday February 10 2019, @06:14PM   Printer-friendly
from the pot-meets-kettle dept.

Submitted via IRC for SoyCow1984

Apple to developers: disclose screen recording or get booted from App Store

Apple has begun notifying developers who use screen-recording code in their apps to either properly disclose it to users or remove it entirely if they want to keep their apps in the App Store. The move comes after a TechCrunch report showed that many apps do not disclose such activity to users at all, and some sensitive user data has been compromised through screen recordings.

Apple revokes Facebook's developer certificate over data-snooping app—Google could be next"Protecting user privacy is paramount in the Apple ecosystem," an Apple spokesperson told TechCrunch. "Our App Store Review Guidelines require that apps request explicit user consent and provide a clear visual indication when recording, logging, or otherwise making a record of user activity."

The initial report highlighted third-party analytics code used by Air Canada, Expedia, Hotels.com, Hollister and other companies in their mobile apps that allows them to record the screens of users while they navigate the app. These "session replays" are designed to help developers work out kinks, make informed UI decisions, and better inform them on how users are interacting with their apps in general.

However, many apps do not tell users that their activity is being monitored by screen-recording code. Also, some session replays reportedly compromised sensitive user information. While they are designed to mask such data, TechCrunch reported that Air Canada's app was not properly masking information such as users' passport and credit card numbers.


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  • (Score: 3, Insightful) by corey on Sunday February 10 2019, @08:20PM (1 child)

    by corey (2202) on Sunday February 10 2019, @08:20PM (#799202)

    While I agree to your sentiment and points generally, is Android better? I sense not, it always seems behind in security and privacy. I'm an Android user from the start too.

    Does anyone believe these gestures by Apple regarding user privacy? Including refusing (publicly) to open that dude's phone to the FBI. Especially in that instance, my conspiracy side thought it was public perception management and secretly they did whatever the feds wanted. I guess because Apple is so brand focused, they go to great lengths to protect it.

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  • (Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 10 2019, @09:45PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 10 2019, @09:45PM (#799233)

    No I don't believe Apple, obviously they knew about apps being able to record full screens, obviously the FBI request was bullshit since they went ahead and got the data off the phone. Why lie and pretend innocence? Apple sold their phones as respecting privacy and being the "smart" option. Just witness the trend of social superiority for owning the latest iclone.

    So Apple's impervious security was not so, and they gave app devs the ability to record the full screen and only now require they divulge such info???? Pleeeease. Just the fancy shiny turtleneckers lying to consumers as usual. Open hardware, open software. Not a guarantee of security but at least it will be possible to have some level of confidence.