Apple announced plans to require the reasons for using certain APIs in their applications starting with iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, tvOS 17, and watchOS 10. This move ensures that applications only utilize these APIs for their intended purpose.
The functionalities that fall under this requirement include:
- temporary labels of files;
- time of loading the system;
- free disk space;
- active keyboard;
- user settings by default.
Apple has implemented this measure to prevent developers from misusing API data to gather device signals with the intention of identifying users across different applications and websites for purposes such as targeted advertising.
The new policy will come into effect in the fall of 2023 and will also extend to VisionOS. Developers submitting new applications or updates to the App Store will be required to specify the reasons for using the aforementioned APIs in the Privacy Privacy Manifesto.
Starting in the spring of 2024, applications without a description of API usage in the Privacy Manifesto will be rejected during the premiere stage.
“Regardless of whether the user grants permission to track, the collection of digital prints of devices is now prohibited,” states Apple documentation for developers.
Overall, this move by Apple signifies a tighter control over the utilization of sensitive data in applications, ultimately safeguarding user confidentiality.