- Lawrence Ng
App Store Developers Must Let Users Delete Accounts, Says Apple
Developers allowing users to make an account in their iOS, iPadOS and macOS apps will soon need to let people delete their accounts within apps. Apple stated that starting 31 January 2022, all app submissions and updates will need to include the option for users to delete their accounts.
In June 2021, the technology firm announced this requirement and other App Store guideline changes at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference as part of Apple's efforts to provide users with more control over their personal data.
Since Apple is only requiring developers to "allow users to initiate deletion of their account from within the app", it is possible that app makers might direct you to a website or communicate with an agent before you will be able to shut down your account.
This is in line with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which gives people the right to ask organisations to delete their personal data, also known as the "right to be forgotten".
However, requests don't always have to be fulfilled. It is only in certain cases that the right to be forgotten will apply. You can read more about that here.
Considering that the aforementioned App Store requirement will let users further protect their data, the option would be great for people who are concerned with data breaches and leaks.
In related news, the "Report a Problem" feature was recently brought back to the App Store, allowing users to flag concerns like scam apps. Before, users had a way to inform Apple of a scam that involves buying an app from the App Store but the technology company removed this feature several years ago.
Now, the functionality is back in the U.S. and it may take some time for it to be available to users in other markets.
When the feature has been rolled out in your region, you will be able to see a "Report a Problem" option in every app's description as well as the Information section, where details like age rating and category are shown.
Upon selecting the option, the user is led to the same reporting process but will now be given the ability to mark an app as a "Scam or Fraud". Aside from that, users can now report an app without having been victimised as you do not need to buy any in-app purchases to use the feature.
Written by Sophia Lopez
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