Apple Cracks Down on AI Data Sharing in New App Store Guidelines

Apple Updates App Review Guidelines Regarding AI Data Usage

On Thursday, Apple announced revisions to its App Review Guidelines for developers. These updates now explicitly require applications to reveal and secure user consent prior to sharing personal data with third-party artificial intelligence systems.

Context of the Changes

This modification precedes Apple’s scheduled introduction of an AI-enhanced Siri iteration, anticipated in 2026.

The forthcoming Siri update will enable users to initiate actions across various applications utilizing voice commands. A recent report from Bloomberg indicates that Google’s Gemini technology will contribute to the functionality of this upgraded assistant.

Simultaneously, Apple is proactively safeguarding against the unauthorized disclosure of personal data to AI providers and related businesses.

Focus on AI Compliance

The significance of this update lies in Apple’s specific naming of AI companies as entities needing to adhere to the new regulations.

Previously, guideline 5.1.2(i) stipulated that apps could not “use, transmit or share” personal data without explicit user permission. This existing rule already aligned with data privacy laws such as the EU’s GDPR and California’s Consumer Privacy Act, granting users greater control over their data.

Non-compliant applications risk removal from the App Store.

Specific Guideline Revision

The revised guideline now includes the following addition:

This adjustment may affect applications intending to leverage AI systems for data collection or processing, potentially for personalization or feature enhancement. The extent to which Apple will enforce this rule remains to be seen, considering the broad scope of the term “AI,” which encompasses technologies beyond Large Language Models (LLMs), including machine learning.

Additional Updates to the Guidelines

The updated rule represents one of several changes to the App Review Guidelines released on Thursday.

Other revisions focus on supporting Apple’s newly announced Mini Apps Program, alongside adjustments to regulations concerning creator applications, loan applications, and other areas.

Furthermore, the updates now include cryptocurrency exchanges within the list of applications operating in heavily regulated sectors.

These changes demonstrate Apple’s commitment to user privacy and responsible AI integration.