As Apple recently reminded developers, starting on October 3,
2018 it will require all apps being submitted for distribution
through its app store, or for testing by its TestFlight service, to
have a publicly posted privacy policy. This requirement was
incorporated into Apple's App Store Review Guidelines and will apply to
all new apps, as well as all updated versions of existing apps.
Previously only those apps that collected user information had to
have a privacy policy.
Apple's previous requirements were consistent with a 2012 Joint Statement of Principles agreement that
Apple and other app store platforms made with the California
Attorney General. In that statement, the platforms agreed to
require apps that collect information to conspicuously post a
privacy policy telling consumers how their personal data was being
collected, used, and shared. To encourage transparency of apps'
privacy practices, the platforms also agreed to allow app
developers to link to their
