Google is apparently dodging Apple’s new iOS App Store privacy label requirement by not updating their iOS apps. All current Google-created apps in the App Store were last updated before December 8, which is when the new requirements went into effect.
Apple last month introduced a new privacy section in the App Store to inform iOS users about what types of data that apps are tracking or collecting. Developers have been required to include this information when submitting new apps or app updates to the App Store since December 8.
Fast Company has noticed that Google hasn’t updated any of its iPhone and iPad apps since the new requirement went into effect. The search engine giant’s Gmail, Chrome, and YouTube apps were last updated on December 7, 2020, or before that date.
All Google apps still show a “No Details Provided” blurb in the new App Store privacy section. The blurb also includes a note that “the developer will be required to provide privacy details when they submit their next app update.”
Fast Company checked the Google Play Store for updates to Google’s Android apps and found that the company has updated several of its Android apps since December 8, including Google Maps on December 14, Google Duo on December 15, Gmail on December 16, and YouTube on December 21.
While Google hasn’t commented on its lack of App Store updates, it seems feasible that the search engine firm is delaying any updates to its iOS app lineup to put off revealing its privacy label information. After all, Facebook is getting negative attention for its lengthy “read if you’re trying to get sleepy” privacy labels.
