Apple will soon be going through with a policy update previously delayed.
The Cupertino-based company recently posted a reminder to app developers about a revision to its App Store rules that will go into effect on June 30, per the company's latest Developer Program post.
Another revision that was previously announced in 2020 but was delayed due to complaints will also go into effect on June 30, per The Verge.
Apple App Store Rule Revision Details
According to Apple's latest post on its Developer Program webpage, Apple will soon request app developers to add an easier way to delete your account and data simultaneously to apps that require you to sign up for an account before June 30.
Additionally, the revised rule will also direct developers to use the Sign in with Apple REST API to revoke user tokens when deleting an account should they offer the "Sign in with Apple" feature. The app should also follow applicable legal requirements for storing and retaining your account information and handling account deletion, including complying with local laws in different countries or regions.
Should an app belong in a highly-regulated industry, Apple will provide additional customer service flows to confirm and facilitate an account's deletion process.
Finally, Apple added that providing the ability to temporarily disable or deactivate an account is insufficient, as people should be able to delete the account along with their personal data.
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This particular revision was supposed to go into effect on January 31, but Apple has extended the deadline to June 30, per Transcend.io. The delay was meant to give developers the time to update their apps to comply with the revision.
Furthermore, apps that will not comply with the revised rule may be blocked or deleted by Apple from its App Store. As such, if a developer finds that creating an account is not needed to enjoy their app's features, removing the app's account creation functionality could be the best option.
However, if the developer is using a privacy infrastructure platform that encodes and automates the account deletion process, then there is no cause for concern.
Apple App Store Rule Revision On Paid Online Group Services
Another revision, which requires apps to offer paid online group services to use its in-app payment system, will also come into effect on June 30. However, this particular revision was previously delayed three times in the past.
This revision to Apple App Store's Review Guideline 5.1.1(v) was created before the changes launched during the company's WWDC 2021 event but were delayed three times due to various reasons.
A separate report from The Verge mentioned that Facebook found that the revision would unfairly impact vulnerable small businesses, which caused the revision's first delay.
The second delay was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic officially, but it could also be caused by Congressional investigations on the suspected monopolizing nature of Apple and Google's app stores, per BBC.
The third and final delay was also caused by Apple wishing to give time to developers to update their apps to comply with the revision. However, there won't be any more delays this time since Apple sent out reminders about the deadline.
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