Apple tells developers to make it clear when screen recordings are made, or to remove the functionality from their app. If they don’t, the app will be removed.
An Apple spokesperson confirms to TechCrunch that the company will quickly take action against apps that record screens without informing users. According to the App Store Review Guidelines, apps must explicitly request permission and provide a clear visual indication when screen recordings are made.
TechCrunch has also learned from developers that Apple has contacted them about the practices. A developer is said to have been told that the code that enables recording of screen activities should be removed within a day.
On Thursday, research by TechCrunch revealed that there are iOS apps from major companies that secretly record screens. This is done through the analytics service Glassbox and is often intended for quality purposes, but personal data is not always hidden and sometimes sent unencrypted to Glassbox servers or the companies themselves.
None of the apps that exhibited such behavior made any mention of the screen recordings in their privacy terms, according to TechCrunch. Apple’s ruling also points out that developers should also request clearer permission than just a mention in the terms and conditions. Expedia and Hotels.com, among others, make screen recordings in their apps without reporting it.