Google finally complies to Apple's app privacy label policy with Gmail

After Gmail, Google is expected similar disclosure related to user privacy practices on other apps such as Google Search, Chrome, Google Maps, Lens and others in the coming weeks.

In December 2020, Apple introduced the privacy labels on App Store. This made it mandatory for all developers to submit privacy transparency forms and make them available on the Apple platform. This enables device owners to see what and how much data is being tracked and stored by app companies.

While most of the app developers began to comply with Apple's new policy, Google has been dragging its feet to update all its iOS apps on Apple Store for more than two months.

For the last several weeks, it has been facing a lot of flak for the delay, and now, the search engine finally made the first move by bringing a privacy label to Gmail on Apple App Store.

As per the chart (below), Google says the Gmail app is tracking all the purchases, browsing history not just in email inbox but also other third-party apps such as text messages, photos or videos, audio data, customer support, and other user content.

Google Gmail Privacy label on Apple App Store. Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit

Google is expected to make similar disclosure related to user privacy practices of its apps such as Google Search, Chrome, Google Maps, Lens, and others in the coming weeks.

Must read | Why Google apps on iOS haven't been updated for weeks?

In the upcoming iOS 14.5 ( & iPadOS 14.5) update, Apple is bringing a more stringent feature- 'App Tracking Transparency'. This will give users the option to turn off all permission (given during installation) for the app thus blocking it from tracking and collecting user information.

Must read | App Tracking Transparency feature coming soon to iPhones, iPads, confirms Apple

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