Apps collecting address book data are 'in violation,' says Apple

Software fix comingApple News By Chris Smith Wednesday at 21:52 UTC | Tell us what you think [ 3 comments ]

Tweet Apple says a future software fix will mean apps will require explicit permission to access your address book

Apple has released a statement claiming that all apps that collect address book data from iOS users, without explicit permission, are in violation of its policies.

The company says it is currently working on a software fix to prevent offending applications, like the Path social network app, from harvesting the data from your smartphone.

The statement from Cupertino follows over a week of controversy since it was discovered that Path stored data from the address books of its user base.

The company has since apologised and cleaned its servers, but other iOS apps still have the ability to collate the data without asking you first.

Violating guidelines

Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr said: "Apps that collect or transmit a user's contact data without their prior permission are in violation of our guidelines.

"We're working to make this even better for our customers, and as we have done with location services, any app wishing to access contact data will require explicit user approval in a future software release."

Apple's insistence that it will fix the problem in a 'future software release' doesn't offer any sort of timeline for users worried about what third party companies may be doing with their data.

The company's statement on Wednesday may have resulted from a letter sent to Tim Cook by members of the United States Congress, pushing Apple for answers.

Via: CNET

Tags: App Store, Apple, apps, address book, iPhone 4STweetreddit!Stumbleupon  Your comments (3) Click to add a new commentdwr

Thursday at 09:10 UTC

3. @bradavon

My sentiments entirely.

I know the word is overused these days, but I was genuinely "shocked" that the Facebook app raided my contact list, and stored all the telephone numbers of my contacts, without my explicit approval. In the only means left to me as a consumer, I have subsequently left Facebook and moved on from iPhone.

Let's hope that this sudden volte-face by Apple won't allow them to escape punishment.

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chisy

Thursday at 08:43 UTC

2. Yep they got busted...good thing I've got no friends :(

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bradavon

Wednesday at 23:35 UTC

1. They're only doing this because Congress has caught them with their trousers down.

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