Apple today updated its privacy site with a new “Labels” section that brings together privacy labels for all Apple apps in one place, making it easier for users to learn how Apple apps handle their personal data.
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Apple has provided privacy labels for its applications since the feature’s release last year, but on individual support pages, so this new “Labels” section makes it easy to see the labels all in one place and in alphabetical order. Privacy labels are available for Apple apps on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS, so some apps like GarageBand appear more than once. Apple also included labels for developer tools like Xcode and even the App Store itself, providing a very comprehensive level of privacy information.
Apple emphasizes that users will not find any data in “Data used to track it” for their applications, since Apple does not track users. Apple says it remains at a higher standard than for all other developers, who will be allowed to track users if they get their permission through the application tracking transparency framework that will be applied starting with iOS 14.5.
Apple introduced privacy labels on the App Store in December, providing users with a broad overview of the types of data an application can collect and whether the information is used to track it or is linked to their identity or device. These labels appear in App Store listings for third-party applications and downloadable Apple applications, such as Apple Podcasts, while integrated applications that cannot be removed as Messages have labels on the Apple website.
Apple requires developers to fill in privacy labels when submitting new apps and app updates to the App Store since early December, but the tags work on an honor system. Apple previously said it “conducts routine and continuous audits of the information provided” and works with developers to correct any inaccuracies, adding that non-compliant applications can be removed from the App Store.