Discuss how to secure user data, respect user data preferences, support iCloud Private Relay and Mail Privacy Protection, replace CAPTCHAs with Private Access Tokens, and more. Ask about Privacy nutrition labels, Privacy manifests, and more.

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Handling ITMS-91061: Missing privacy manifest
An ITMS-91061: Missing privacy manifest rejection email looks as follows: ITMS-91061: Missing privacy manifest- Your app includes "<path/to/SDK>", which includes , an SDK that was identified in the documentation as a privacy-impacting third-party SDK. Starting February 12, 2025, if a new app includes a privacy-impacting SDK, or an app update adds a new privacy-impacting SDK, the SDK must include a privacy manifest file. Please contact the provider of the SDK that includes this file to get an updated SDK version with a privacy manifest. For more details about this policy, including a list of SDKs that are required to include signatures and manifests, visit: https://developer.apple.com/support/third-party-SDK-requirements. Glossary ITMS-91061: Missing privacy manifest: An email that includes the name and path of privacy-impacting SDK(s) with no privacy manifest files in your app bundle. For more information, see https://developer.apple.com/support/third-party-SDK-requirements. : The specified privacy-impacting SDK that doesn't include a privacy manifest file. If you are the developer of the rejected app, gather the name of the SDK from the email you received from Apple, then contact the SDK's provider for an updated version that includes a valid privacy manifest. After receiving an updated version of the SDK, verify the SDK includes a valid privacy manifest file at the expected location. For more information, see Adding a privacy manifest to your app or third-party SDK. If your app includes a privacy manifest file, make sure the file only describes the privacy practices of your app. Do not add the privacy practices of the SDK to your app's privacy manifest. If the email lists multiple SDKs, repeat the above process for all of them. If you are the developer of an SDK listed in the email, publish an updated version of your SDK that includes a privacy manifest file with valid keys and values. Every privacy-impacting SDK must contain a privacy manifest file that only describes its privacy practices. To learn how to add a valid privacy manifest to your SDK, see the Additional resources section below. Additional resources Privacy manifest files Describing data use in privacy manifests Describing use of required reason API Adding a privacy manifest to your app or third-party SDK TN3182: Adding privacy tracking keys to your privacy manifest TN3183: Adding required reason API entries to your privacy manifest TN3184: Adding data collection details to your privacy manifest TN3181: Debugging an invalid privacy manifest
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Question about Login Rules for app review
Hi, we are preparing to launch an app soon that will allow users to login via their apple or google accounts. We were reviewing the app review guidelines and had some questions about Login Services. Do we need to support username/email + password alongside social logins? If yes, can we support passkeys to get around this restriction? passkeys do not require any information so we think this should apply Apps that use a third-party or social login service (such as Facebook Login, Google Sign-In, Sign in with Twitter, Sign In with LinkedIn, Login with Amazon, or WeChat Login) to set up or authenticate the user’s primary account with the app must also offer as an equivalent option another login service with the following features: - the login service limits data collection to the user’s name and email address; - the login service allows users to keep their email address private as part of setting up their account; and - the login service does not collect interactions with your app for advertising purposes without consent. A user’s primary account is the account they establish with your app for the purposes of identifying themselves, signing in, and accessing your features and associated services.
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Persistent Privacy Notification Issue with Screen & Audio Access on macOS 15+
Hello Apple Developer Community, We have been experiencing a persistent notification issue in our application, Flowace, after updating to macOS 15 and above. The issue is affecting our customers but does not occur on our internal test machines. Issue Description When users share their screen using Flowace, they receive a repetitive system notification stating: "Flowace has accessed your screen and system audio XX times in the past 30 days. You can manage this in settings." This pop-up appears approximately every minute, even though screen sharing and audio access work correctly. This behavior was not present in macOS 15.1.1 or earlier versions and appears to be related to recent privacy enhancements in macOS. Impact on Users The frequent pop-ups disrupt workflows, making it difficult for users to focus while using screen-sharing features. No issues are detected in Privacy &amp; Security Settings, where Flowace has the necessary permissions. The issue is not reproducible on our internal test machines, making troubleshooting difficult. Our application is enterprise level and works all the time, so technically this pop only comes after a period of not using the app. Request for Assistance We would like to understand: Has anyone else encountered a similar issue in macOS 15+? Is there official Apple documentation explaining this new privacy behavior? Are there any interim fixes to suppress or manage these notifications? What are Apple's prospects regarding this feature in upcoming macOS updates? A demonstration of the issue can be seen in the following video: https://youtu.be/njA6mam_Bgw Any insights, workarounds, or recommendations would be highly appreciated! Thank you in advance for your help. Best, Anuj Patil Flowace Team
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Error Domain=NSURLErrorDomain Code=-1009
When I make a local network HTTP request, an error occurs. I'm sure I've granted wireless data permissions and local network permissions, and I'm connected to the correct Wi-Fi. This problem is intermittent, but once it happens, it will keep happening, and the only way to fix it is to restart the phone. Here is the error log: sessionTaskFailed(error: Error Domain=NSURLErrorDomain Code=-1009 "似乎已断开与互联网的连接。" UserInfo={_kCFStreamErrorCodeKey=50, NSUnderlyingError=0x30398a5b0 {Error Domain=kCFErrorDomainCFNetwork Code=-1009 "(null)" UserInfo={_NSURLErrorNWPathKey=unsatisfied (Local network prohibited), interface: en0[802.11], uses wifi, _kCFStreamErrorCodeKey=50, _kCFStreamErrorDomainKey=1}}, _NSURLErrorFailingURLSessionTaskErrorKey=LocalDataTask .&lt;63&gt;, _NSURLErrorRelatedURLSessionTaskErrorKey=( "LocalDataTask .&lt;63&gt;" ), NSLocalizedDescription=似乎已断开与互联网的连接。, NSErrorFailingURLStringKey=http://192.168.2.1:80/v1/parameters, NSErrorFailingURLKey=http://192.168.2.1:80/v1/parameters, _kCFStreamErrorDomainKey=1})
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Guidance on Building a Custom Referral Attribution System for iOS
Hello, I’m planning to develop a custom referral-based attribution system for my app. The goal is to log the number of installs that come from unique referral links and then track subsequent in‑app analytics (for example, when a user reaches level 5 in a game). I’d also like to capture the user’s country to further segment these analytics. I want to build this system myself—without relying on third‑party services (such as AppsFlyer or Branch) since I only need a few key data points and want to keep costs low. However, I’m aware of the privacy restrictions in iOS and want to ensure that my implementation complies with Apple’s guidelines. Specifically, I would appreciate guidance on the following: Permissible Signals: Is it acceptable to log signals like IP address (or a suitably anonymized version), device model, and timestamp to help correlate the referral click to a successful install and subsequent in‑app events? Are there any other recommended non‑PII signals that can be used to confirm a referral install without risking rejection during App Review? Best Practices: What are the best practices for handling and transmitting these signals (e.g., should IP addresses be truncated or hashed)? How can I ensure that my system remains compliant with Apple’s App Tracking Transparency and other privacy guidelines? I’d appreciate any insights or references to relevant documentation that might help me build this system without getting rejected by Apple. Thank you in advance for your assistance!
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The host app appears in Accessibility Permission
I'm learning XPC by inspecting the GitHub Copilot project. I figured out that the schema works as follows: The host app with a UI to manage settings A Service Extension that controls the Xcode Editor A communication bridge cli app that connects the first two As far as I understand an app appears in the Accessibility Permission when it calls the next method: let key = kAXTrustedCheckOptionPrompt.takeRetainedValue() as NSString AXIsProcessTrustedWithOptions([key: true] as CFDictionary) This method is only called by the Service Extension. However, when I run a release build from the /Application folder (where launch agents point to), there are two records appearing in the Accessibility Permission list: The host app The needed Service Extension I compared all metadata files from Copilot with my copy line-by-line, but still can't figure out why the host app record appears in the Accessibility Permission, since the host app does not call the AXIsProcessTrustedWithOptions() method at all. Could you give me any clue to help me wrap my head around it?
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Problems Publishing with User Tracking
Hello, I'm trying to publish my app, but I'm constantly getting rejected by Apple. They're telling me I'm having issues with tracking user data. This item has been rejected for the following reasons: 5.1.2 Legal: Privacy - Data Use and Sharing I've indicated that I don't use this data for ads, that it's only used for personalization and to understand who saves items. I added the NSUserTrackingUsageDescription property to the info.plist. I run AppTrackingTransparency.requestTrackingAuthorization() when the user logs into the app, displaying a warning message. I'd say I meet all the requirements they've set for me, but they still haven't approved my app. What do you recommend? How can I speak to a physical person who can help me? Thank you very much and best regards.
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Local Network Permission Issue
We're experiencing an issue with Local Network Permission. When trying to connect to a socket, the Local Network Permission alert pops up. To trigger the permission request at the start of the app, we used the following code to ask for permission and receive a callback on whether it's granted. However, this approach doesn't always trigger the permission alert, or it gets automatically dismissed after 30 seconds, only to reappear later. What could be causing this inconsistent behavior? func checkLocalNetworkPermission(_ completed: Optional&lt;(Bool) -&gt; Void&gt; = .none) { DispatchQueue.global(qos: .userInitiated).async { let hostName = ProcessInfo.processInfo.hostName let isGranted = hostName.contains(".local") if let completed { DispatchQueue.main.async { completed(isGranted) } } } }
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Local Network Privacy not Working as Documented
In TN3179 under "macOS considerations" there are a set of instances where local network privacy does not apply: macOS automatically allows local network access by: Any daemon started by launchd Any program running as root Command-line tools run from Terminal or over SSH, including any child processes they spawn I am running some tests in my app that use the local network, attempting to run them from both the terminal app and from a VScode terminal and I am getting permissions prompts. After allowing these pop ups, some of the tests still fail as if networking was blocked.
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How to Delete Tips from CloudKit?
Hi! I use Tips with CloudKit and it works very well, however when a user want to remove their data from CloudKit, how to do that? In CoreData with CloudKit area, NSPersistentCloudKitContainer have purgeObjectsAndRecordsInZone to delete both local managed objects and CloudKit records, however there is no information about the TipKit deletion. Does anyone know ideas?
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iOS Screenshot prevention Whatsapp
It has been asked several times in the forum, but apple has always maintained that screenshot capture prevention is not supported, how is it that whatsapp and several financial apps are doing it, if screenshot capturing is not possible, its not DRM, is it the adding of a secured text as a layer on to the uiview layer? how have they designed a custom screen if that is the case? Also how is it getting approved by apple! If detection of airplay is possible and can be suppressed, why not screenshot?
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Enable iCloud Keychain Autofill & Touch ID support for Chromium-based browsers on macOS
Hello Apple Developer Team, I would love to see iCloud Keychain Autofill and Touch ID support extended to Chromium-based browsers on macOS (such as Ecosia, Brave, or Vivaldi). Currently, Safari allows autofill of passwords using Touch ID, but when using other browsers, I have to manually copy-paste credentials from Keychain Access, which is time-consuming. Would it be possible for Apple to provide an API or framework that allows non-WebKit browsers to integrate iCloud Keychain autofill while keeping security intact? This feature would make macOS more convenient for users who prefer alternative browsers while keeping security standards high. Thanks in advance for considering this! Best regards, Kilian
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Family Controls API Extension Approval - Describing use of required reason API
Hello, Our app has already received approval for using the Family Controls API. However, when we added an extension, we were informed that an additional approval was required. Unfortunately, our request was rejected. Apple Support advised us to include "Describing use of required reason API" in the privacyInfo file, but after reviewing the documentation, we couldn't find any relevant information specifically for the Family Controls API. Questions: How should we describe the use of Family Controls API in the privacyInfo file? What does the rejection reason "Enterprise use not approved" specifically mean? Why is additional approval required for the extension, and how can we resolve this? Background: Initial Approval: Our app was approved to use the Family Controls API. Extension Submission: We submitted an extension requiring additional approval, but it was rejected. Follow-up Inquiry: Apple Support instructed us to include a description in privacyInfo, but no relevant details for Family Controls API were found. Further Inquiry: We asked for clarification, and Apple Support referred us to DTS. DTS Response: They requested that we post our question on the Apple Developer Forums before they can review it. If anyone has insights, guidelines, or previous experience with this approval process, we would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you!
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How to Trigger Permission Dialogue for Accessing the User's Desktop in macOS?
In my app I need to have access to the users desktop, and I would like to implement the standard dialogue for the user to give permission for this access at launch. I do not want to use the NSOpenPanel() for the user to select the desktop, as I dont think that is an elegant solution. However I am having issues implementing this. I use the following code to be granted access to the Desktop URL: let accessGranted = desktopURL.startAccessingSecurityScopedResource() However no dialogue box appears and the call returns false I have also included "Desktop Usage Description" in my plist. Here is my code @State var message:String = "Good Luck!" var body: some View { VStack { Button("Get Desktop files") { accessDesktopWithPermission() } Text(message) } .padding() } //: –—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–—–— :// func accessDesktopWithPermission(){ guard let desktopURL = getDesktopURL() else{ return } let accessGranted = desktopURL.startAccessingSecurityScopedResource() if accessGranted{ if let content = try? FileManager.default.contentsOfDirectory(at: desktopURL, includingPropertiesForKeys: nil ){ message = "Found \(content.count) on Desktop" } else{ message = "issue loading file from desktop" } } else{ message = "Access denied to:\(desktopURL )" } } obviously I have setup something incorrectly so I have also attached my code if anyone is interested to take a look. [https://www.openscreen.co/DesktopAccess.zip)
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Not Sandbox App, Working on SMAppService as root
I am currently developing a No-Sandbox application. What I want to achieve is to use AuthorizationCopyRights in a No-Sandbox application to elevate to root, then register SMAppService.daemon after elevation, and finally call the registered daemon from within the No-Sandbox application. Implementation Details Here is the Plist that I am registering with SMAppService: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> <plist version="1.0"> <dict> <key>Label</key> <string>com.example.agent</string> <key>BundleProgram</key> <string>/usr/local/bin/test</string> <key>ProgramArguments</key> <array> <string>/usr/local/bin/test</string> <string>login</string> </array> <key>RunAtLoad</key> <true/> </dict> </plist> Code that successfully performs privilege escalation (a helper tool popup appears) private func registerSMAppServiceDaemon() -> Bool { let service = SMAppService.daemon(plistName: "com.example.plist") do { try service.register() print("Successfully registered \(service)") return true } catch { print("Unable to register \(error)") return false } } private func levelUpRoot() -> Bool { var authRef: AuthorizationRef? let status = AuthorizationCreate(nil, nil, [], &authRef) if status != errAuthorizationSuccess { return false } let rightName = kSMRightBlessPrivilegedHelper return rightName.withCString { cStringName -> Bool in var authItem = AuthorizationItem( name: cStringName, valueLength: 0, value: nil, flags: 0 ) return withUnsafeMutablePointer(to: &authItem) { authItemPointer -> Bool in var authRights = AuthorizationRights(count: 1, items: authItemPointer) let authFlags: AuthorizationFlags = [.interactionAllowed, .preAuthorize, .extendRights] let status = AuthorizationCopyRights(authRef!, &authRights, nil, authFlags, nil) if status == errAuthorizationSuccess { if !registerSMAppServiceDaemon() { return false } return true } return false } } } Error Details Unable to register Error Domain=SMAppServiceErrorDomain Code=1 "Operation not permitted" UserInfo={NSLocalizedFailureReason=Operation not permitted} The likely cause of this error is that /usr/local/bin/test is being bundled. However, based on my understanding, since this is a non-sandboxed application, the binary should be accessible as long as it is run as root. Trying post as mentioned in the response, placing the test binary under Contents/Resources/ allows SMAppService to successfully register it. However, executing the binary results in a different error. Here is the plist at that time. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> <plist version="1.0"> <dict> <key>Label</key> <string>com.example.agent</string> <key>BundleProgram</key> <string>Contents/Resources/test</string> <key>ProgramArguments</key> <array> <string>Contents/Resources/test</string> <string>login</string> </array> <key>RunAtLoad</key> <true/> </dict> </plist> Here is the function at that time. private func executeBin() { let bundle = Bundle.main if let binaryPath = bundle.path(forResource: "test", ofType: nil) { print(binaryPath) let task = Process() task.executableURL = URL(fileURLWithPath: binaryPath) task.arguments = ["login"] let pipe = Pipe() task.standardOutput = pipe task.standardError = pipe do { try task.run() let outputData = pipe.fileHandleForReading.readDataToEndOfFile() if let output = String(data: outputData, encoding: .utf8) { print("Binary output: \(output)") } task.waitUntilExit() if task.terminationStatus == 0 { print("Binary executed successfully") } else { print("Binary execution failed with status: \(task.terminationStatus)") } } catch { print("Error executing binary: \(error)") } } else { print("Binary not found in the app bundle") } } Executed After Error Binary output: Binary execution failed with status: 5 Are there any other ways to execute a specific binary as root when using AuthorizationCopyRights? For example, by preparing a Helper Tool?
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