Apple Eases App Store Review Guidelines Connected to Third-Party Ads in Kids Apps Category and ‘Sign in With Apple’

Apple on Thursday updated its App Store Review Guidelines to reflect changes to third-party ads and analytics in kids apps. It also listed new information as to when apps are required to use Sign in with Apple.

App Updates in the Kids Category

Apple’s guidelines now say that third-party analytics may be permitted in kids apps, but only in limited cases. The services are not allowed to collect or transmit any identifiable information about the child, including their name, date of birth, email address, location, or unique device identifier.

Apple will also allow third-party ads in limited cases where the services have publicly documented practices and policies for kids apps, including human-based review of ad creatives to ensure it is age appropriate.

Previously, Apple had indicated that no third-party ads or analytics would be permitted in apps for kids. However, several developers had expressed concern that the restrictions would harm their business models. This lead Apple to delay implementation of the new requirements and to make the changes the Cupertino firm announced on Thursday.

Apple says App Store apps published to the Kids category or that collect, transmit, or include the capability to share personal info from a minor must include a privacy policy and must include a privacy policy and must comply with children’s privacy statutes, including the U.S. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

Apple tells developers that all new apps must follow these guidelines, and existing apps should be updated as soon as possible. Developers have an additional six months, until March 3, 2020, to bring their apps into full compliance.

Sign in with Apple

Apple on Thursday also clarified when an app is required to use the new “Sign in with Apple” feature. Apple previously announced that apps that use a third-party or social network login service, including those from Google, Amazon, Twitter, Facebook and others, the app must also offer Sign in with Apple as an authentication option.

Thursday’s new information clarifies that Sign in with Apple isn’t required if:

• Your app exclusively uses your company’s own account setup and sign-in systems.
• Your app is an education, enterprise, or business app that requires the user to sign in with an existing education or enterprise account.
• Your app uses a government or industry-backed citizen identification system or electronic ID to authenticate users.
• Your app is a client for a specific third-party service and users are required to sign in to their mail, social media, or other third-party account directly to access their content.

As of Thursday, new apps must follow these Sign in with Apple guidelines. Developers have until April 2020 to update their existing apps to meet the guidelines.