Google has provided a bug fix to its iOS YouTube app, the first update of a major Google iOS app since December, 9to5Google reports. Although it is speculated that the reason for the lack of updates to iOS versions of Gmail, Docs, Search and Photos is an attempt to avoid Apple’s new privacy labels, Google has explicitly denied this. The company said in a January 12 blog post that it would add the labels to its programs if updates were available:
As Google’s iOS apps are updated with new features or to fix bugs, you’ll see updates to the list of app pages that contain the new app’s privacy information. These labels represent the maximum categories of data that can be collected – that is, if you use every available feature and service in the app. The data you provide to Google products provides you with useful services, and you can always control your privacy settings by visiting your Google Account or visiting the Google products you use on iOS directly.
Apple requires businesses to apply the privacy labels, which it launched on December 14, before they can update existing iOS apps. Some of Google’s other apps – Stadia, Authenticator, Translate and Classroom – have already received iOS updates.
We & # 39; ve contacted Google to ask if there are any updates available for the iOS versions of Gmail, Search, Docs, and Photos, and we’ll get back to you if we find out more.