Apple on Thursday updated its privacy website with a new “Labels” section that includes privacy labels for all of its first-party apps, making it easier for users to learn about how Apple apps handle their personal data, all in a central location.
Transparency is the best policy.
Our privacy labels are designed to help you understand how apps handle your data, including apps we develop at Apple. This page brings privacy labels for our iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS apps together in one place.
Although Apple had already posted privacy labels for its apps, they were on individual support pages. The new “Labels” section allows users to view the labels in one location, listed in alphabetical order.
The privacy labels are available for Apple apps across all platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, and tvOS, so some apps such as GarageBand, appear more than once. Labels for Xcode and even the App Store itself are also available.
Apple notes that users will not find any data in the “Data Used to Track You” for its apps, as the Cupertino firm does not track users.
Apple debuted Privacy Labels in the App Store back in December, offering users a way to easily see what types of data developers and their apps collect, as well as whether the information is used to track them or is linked to their identity or device. These labels appear in App Store listings for third-party apps and downloadable Apple apps like Apple Podcasts. meanwhile, built-in apps that are pre-installed and cannot be removed, like Messages, have labels on Apple’s website.
Apple has required the privacy labels on new apps and app updates since early December, but all label information is provided on the honor system. Apple has said that it “conducts routine and ongoing audits of the information provided” and works with developers to correct any inaccuracies. Apps that fail to comply may ultimately be removed from the App Store.
Developers will be permitted to track users if they obtain their permission via the App Tracking Transparency framework that will be enforced as of iOS 14.5.
