Apple Will Soon Require iOS Apps to Offer Account Deletion Option

Apple has warned developers that all iOS apps on the App Store that let users create an account will soon have to offer an account deletion option as well (via 9to5Mac). This new change in the App Store guidelines was announced a year ago, Apple will start to enforce it starting June 30, 2022. 

The company said that it extended the deadline to give developers more time to update their iOS apps, and it also shared some guidelines. The company emphasized that “ the account deletion option should be easy to find in your app.” 

Developers will be allowed to include in their apps a link to a website where users need to finish deleting their accounts. Apps in highly regulated industries may also use additional customer service flows to help users delete their accounts. 

Apple is also telling developers that providing the ability to temporarily disable or deactivate an account in their apps was not enough. “People should be able to delete the account along with their personal data,” the company explained. Developers will also need to inform users in case the deletion request will take more time to complete. 

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Conversation 11 comments

  • lvthunder

    Premium Member
    25 May, 2022 - 4:02 pm

    <p>That’s good I think. I’m also glad my app doesn’t deal with accounts.</p>

  • j5

    Premium Member
    25 May, 2022 - 4:38 pm

    <p>Sweet!</p>

  • jgraebner

    Premium Member
    25 May, 2022 - 4:46 pm

    <p>This is one case where I’m 100% on board with an Apple rule. Frankly, there should be a law requiring that any service that offers online registration or subscriptions also offer account deletion and cancelation online.</p>

    • fishnet37222

      Premium Member
      25 May, 2022 - 5:33 pm

      <p>I agree. It should be just as easy to delete your account as it is to create it in the first place.</p>

    • retcable

      Premium Member
      26 May, 2022 - 6:36 am

      <p>This is great. Account deletion and subscription cancellation should be right there in the app, prominently displayed when you wish to cancel. With nearly all apps requiring some form of monthly subscription nowadays, this is long overdue and good for Apple on this. </p>

  • rob_segal

    Premium Member
    25 May, 2022 - 5:05 pm

    <p>This will benefit users. I understand that this is yet another rule Apple created for their app store, but at least this is a beneficial one.</p>

  • dftf

    26 May, 2022 - 6:11 am

    <p>This might be one of these US-specific issues, as generally in the UK and EU most apps will already make this relatively-easy as they have to by-law (under GDPR, which is still in-effect in the UK as-of-now) under the "right to be forgotten" or "right to erasure". (From what I read about the US, I’d guess California <em>may</em> already have a similar law, as it usually tends to be the first-state to implement such legislation.)</p><p><br></p><p>The only apps I’ve ever had issues with leaving in the past have been US-ran ones, where you often have to request it by e-mail. Every-other app or website though just has a "delete account" option within the app or site itself, and after confirming a password and 2FA code, you’re done.</p>

  • dftf

    26 May, 2022 - 6:14 am

    <p>Will add though it’s kind of ironic Apple say a delete-account option "should be easy to find", when they still say to developers of certain categories of apps that they may not suggest in an obvious place that users can sign-up for an account outside of the app, and also begin a subscription directly either… it has to be hidden on a separate screen, usually. Funny that!</p>

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    27 May, 2022 - 6:42 am

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  • the_sl0th

    27 May, 2022 - 11:00 am

    <p>Its a joke though. Take Facebook. I’m sure they will comply and offer an option in the app to delete an account (if they don’t already), but note the following from the small print:</p><p><br></p><p>"Copies of your information may remain after the 90 days in backup storage that we use to recover in the event of a disaster, software error or other data loss event. We may also keep your information for things such as legal issues, terms violations or harm prevention efforts"</p><p><br></p><p>So its not *actually* deleted at all. Its just made inaccessible to you.</p>

  • spiderman2

    29 May, 2022 - 10:29 am

    <p>It will require also apps like apple music, apple tv ecc… to offer the same? :D</p>

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