Apple continues its fight against apps attempting to track their users through “fingerprinting” technology by introducing additional rules for app developers in the App Store.
The new rules are part of Apple’s efforts to protect its users from tracking, which can be used for targeted advertising and other purposes. The new rules for apps in the App Store require app developers to specify why they use certain APIs that can be used for device identification.
While there are legitimate reasons for app developers to use these APIs, they can also be employed for fingerprinting, which involves creating a unique “fingerprint” for the devices where the apps are running.
On their developer website, Apple now lists several APIs where developers must provide reasons for their usage in their apps. If they fail to do so, their apps will be removed from the App Store starting in the spring of 2024.
