256 apps have been taken off the App Store for spying issues embedded in the apps.
The reason why Apple have banned these apps is because the developers were using a third party application program interface (API). Developers are demanded by Apple to use their API to develop apps to protect customer information and optimisation.
The API in question is a software development kit (SDK) developed by Youmi. Apps which use the SDK stores informations about customers and can retrieve information like app purchase history. More worryingly it can take your email address and iPhone serial number.
Apple have stated on the matter:
“We’ve identified a group of apps that are using a third-party advertising SDK, developed by Youmi, a mobile advertising provider, that uses private APIs to gather private information, such as user email addresses and device identifiers, and route data to its company server. This is a violation of our security and privacy guidelines. The apps using Youmi’s SDK will be removed from the App Store and any new apps submitted to the App Store using this SDK will be rejected. We are working closely with developers to help them get updated versions of their apps that are safe for customers and in compliance with our guidelines back in the App Store quickly.”
The apps taken down were small and unknown, mainly from China but it’s been reported that China’s official McDonald’s app has been taken down too.
For more on Apple, visit What Mobile’s dedicated Apple page.
Via Phone Arena and Business Insider.
