Apple today updated its privacy website 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 already provided privacy labels for its applications since the feature was launched last year, but on individual support pages, this new “Labels” section makes it easier to see the labels in one place and in alphabetical order. Privacy labels are available for Apple apps in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, so some apps like GarageBand appear more than once. Apple has also included labels for developer tools like Xcode and even the App Store itself, which provides a very comprehensive level of privacy information.
Apple emphasizes that users will not find any information under “Data Used to Track You” for its applications, as Apple does not track users. Apple says it maintains a higher standard than all other developers, which will be allowed to track users if they obtain permission via the App Tracking Transparency framework enforced from iOS 14.5.
Apple launched privacy labels in the App Store in December, giving users a broad overview of the types of data an app 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 apps and downloadable Apple apps such as Apple Podcasts, while built-in non-removable apps like Messages have labels on Apple’s website.
Apple has required developers to complete the privacy labels when submitting new apps and app updates to the App Store since early December, but the labels operate on a primary system. Apple said earlier that it “routinely conducts audits of the information provided” and works with developers to correct any inaccuracies, adding that applications that do not comply may eventually come out of the App Store.