Apple Delays Privacy Crackdown in Kids Apps Following Developer Concerns

Back at WWDC, Apple announced some changes to its App Store policies. One of the main changes the company announced was its crackdown on kids apps to help keep kids safe online. As part of the changes, Apple announced it will stop apps in the Kids Category from using third-party advertising or analytics. And that’s led to some major concerns for developers behind the hundreds of kids apps on the App Store.

Apple has now decided to delay these new policies, following backlash from developers.

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The Washington Post is reporting that Apple has decided to delay when these new policies against kids apps go in action, stating that it’s generally received “widespread support” for its efforts to protect kids. Developers of popular kids apps, however, say otherwise.

“We aren’t backing off on this important issue, but we are working to help developers get there,” an Apple spokesperson said. Developers of kids apps, on the other hand, are concerned about these new policies affecting their business. Most kids apps are free and use advertisements to pay their bills, and Apple preventing the use of third-party advertising means they will have to build their in-house ad systems that could cost quite a lot to build. App developers are also concerned about Apple limiting their ability to collect analytics from their apps which are crucial for app development.

They are even more concerned about how little Apple tells them about these new policies, and how these rules are enforced are a mystery, according to developers who spoke to The Washington Post. Developers are now pushing for Apple to mandate all kids apps that use third-party advertising and analytics instead of enforcing a blanket ban.

And considering Apple has delayed its plans for the blanket ban, there are chances Apple will change the way it plans to protect kids online. For now, though, it’s all a mystery.

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Conversation 12 comments

  • Thom77

    21 August, 2019 - 7:57 am

    <p>There has to be something else going on here that we dont know about, an alterior reason.</p><p><br></p><p>Dont ever forget, when its about the children … it's never about the children.</p>

    • igor engelen

      21 August, 2019 - 9:19 am

      <blockquote><a href="#450720"><em>In reply to Thom77:</em></a><em>I think you're right. Implementing a child safe ads system should be fairly easy and would solve the issue.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

    • lvthunder

      Premium Member
      21 August, 2019 - 10:52 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#450720">In reply to Thom77:</a></em></blockquote><p>Oh please. Not everything is a conspiracy.</p>

      • qlstudent

        21 August, 2019 - 11:28 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#450771">In reply to lvthunder:</a></em></blockquote><p>It is not a conspiracy. They're trying to push developers to make apps for children that doesn't violate their privacy. In other words, they are nudging developers to make paid apps for children. </p>

      • mikes_infl

        21 August, 2019 - 5:07 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#450771">In reply to lvthunder:</a></em></blockquote><p>( in jest: Just HOW SURE ARE YOU???? ;-)</p>

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    21 August, 2019 - 9:14 am

    <p>There are already very strict laws about being able to advertise to children and they differ very much from country to country. How do the devs cope with this at the moment?</p>

    • lvthunder

      Premium Member
      21 August, 2019 - 10:53 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#450755">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p>Maybe some of the apps are only available in certain places. Or maybe the devs aren't aware of the different laws in different places. I know I'm not, but then my app doesn't collect anything or show any ads.</p>

  • karlinhigh

    Premium Member
    21 August, 2019 - 12:07 pm

    <p><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Developers are now pushing for Apple to mandate all kids apps that use third-party advertising and analytics instead of enforcing a blanket ban.</em></p><p><br></p><p>I'm having trouble understanding that sentence. Apple mandates <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(directs, commands, requires?) </span>something instead of banning it?</p>

  • randallcorn

    Premium Member
    21 August, 2019 - 3:22 pm

    <p>I know the advertisement rules for Saturday morning cartoons is why there are no more Saturday morning cartoons.</p>

  • RonH

    Premium Member
    21 August, 2019 - 3:31 pm

    <p>People want things for free. Developers want to make money. </p><p><br></p><p>Pay for kids apps or put up with ads…. </p><p><br></p><p>Can Devs make money on $1.00 games with no ads? Is that price point feasible? </p>

    • dontbeevil

      22 August, 2019 - 4:09 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#450872">In reply to RonH:</a></em></blockquote><p>and apple wants the biggest amount of money from everywhere</p>

  • srraihan

    24 August, 2019 - 3:21 am

    <p><a href="https://www.piratehdsoft.ga/search/label/Mac%20Software?&amp;max-results=5://&quot; target="_blank">useful information</a></p>

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