Congressmen Send Inquiries to 34 App Developers Over Privacy Practices

representatives henry a. waxman (d-ca) , g.k. butterfield (d-nc) have sent letters thirty-four app developers number of questions information collection , use practices. follows on letter congressmen sent apple requesting information on company's data collection policies imposes on app store developers.

letters sent wide variety of developers, , selected representatives on basis of "their inclusion in "social networking" subcategory within "iphone essentials" area of apple's app store." include turntable.fm, twitter, tweetbot, path, instagram, facebook, , apple itself.

quote

last month, developer of applications ("apps") apple's mobile devices discovered social networking app path accessing , collecting contents of iphone address book without having asked consent. following reports path, developers , members of press ran own small-scale tests of code other popular apps apple's mobile devices determine accessing address book information. around time, 3 other apps released new versions include prompt asking users' consent before accessing address book. in addition, concerns subsequently raised manner in apps can access photographs on apple's mobile devices.

writing because want better understand information collection , use policies , practices of apps apple's mobile devices social element. request respond following questions:

(1) through end of february 2012, how many times ios app downloaded apple's app store?

(2) did have privacy policy in place ios app @ end of february 2012? if so, please tell when ios app first made available in apple's app store , when first had privacy policy in place. in addition, please describe how policy made available app users , please provide copy of recent policy.

(3) has ios app @ time transmitted information or user's address book? if so, fields? also, please describe measures taken protect or secure information during transmission , periods of time during measures in effect.

(4) have @ time stored information or user's address book? if so, field? also, please describe measures taken protect or secure information during storage , periods of time during measures in effect.

(5) @ time, has ios app transmitted or have stored other information or user's device - including, not limited to, user's phone number, email account information, calendar, photo gallery, wifi connection log, unique device identifier (udid), media access control (mac) address, or other identifier unique specific device?

(6) extent store address book information or of information in question 5, please describe purposes store or use information, length of time keep it, , policies regarding sharing of information.

(7) extent transmit or store address book information or of information in question 5, please describe notices delivered uscrs on mobile device screen collection , use practices both prior , after february 8, 2012.

(8) ios developer program license agreement detailing obligations , responsibilities of app developers reportedly states developer , applications "may not collect user or device data without prior user consent, , provide service or function directly relevant use of application, or serve advertising.";

(a) please describe data available apple mobile devices understand user data requiring prior consent user collected.

(b) please describe data available apple mobile devices understand device data requiring prior consent user collected.

(c) please describe services or functions user or device data directly relevant use of application.

(9) please list industry self-regulatory organizations belong.

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the developers given until april 12, 2012 respond.

article link: congressmen send inquiries 34 app developers on privacy practices

 

seems time before happened.

 

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