Apple introduced a brand new range of on Thursday App review guidelines for developers, which now explicitly states that apps must disclose and procure permission from users before sharing personal data with third-party AI.
The change comes ahead of the iPhone maker's plan to introduce its own AI-enhanced version of Siri in 2026.
This update sees Apple's digital assistant give users the flexibility to perform actions across apps using Siri commands and shall be based partly on Google's Gemini technology, in keeping with a recent report Bloomberg Report.
At the identical time, Apple ensures that other apps don’t share personal data with AI providers or other AI firms.
What's interesting about this particular update just isn’t the necessities described, however the proven fact that Apple has specifically stated that AI firms must meet the necessities.
Before the revised language, the policy, often called Rule 5.1.2(i), included language on disclosure and obtaining user consent for data sharing, and stated that apps may not “use, transfer, or share” a person's personal information without their permission. This rule served as a part of Apple's compliance with privacy regulations comparable to the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act, and others, which be certain that users have more control over how their data is collected and shared. Apps that don’t comply with the policy could also be faraway from the App Store.
The newly revised policy adds the next sentence (emphasis added):
You must clearly indicate where personal data shall be shared with third parties. also with third-party AI, and procure express permission beforehand.
This change could impact apps that need to use AI systems to gather or process details about their users, perhaps to personalize their apps or provide certain features. It's unclear how strictly Apple will implement the rule, because the term “AI” could encompass a big selection of technologies – not only LLMs, but in addition things like machine learning.
The updated rule is one among several revisions to the App review guidelines appears on Thursday. Other Changes are focused on supporting Apple's latest Mini Apps program, also announced today, in addition to streamlining the principles for creator apps, rental apps, and more.
An addition also added crypto exchanges to the list of apps offering services in highly regulated areas.
