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App Store Privacy Labels Mysteriously Disappear [Update: Fixed]

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As noted on Twitter, privacy labels for apps on the App Store on both iOS and macOS have mysteriously disappeared, and the reason remains unclear. All other functions of the ‌App Store‌ appear to remain online, and Apple's system status page indicates no issues with any services at the time of writing.

couldnt find my magsafe for a while there
Apple's ‌App Store‌ privacy labels aim to give users insight into what information an app collects and shares about them. Privacy labels launched in December 2020 following the launch of iOS 14. We'll update this post when more information becomes available on why they're missing.

Update: The privacy labels have returned to ‌App Store‌ listings on both the iOS and macOS App Stores.

Tag: App Store

Top Rated Comments

antiprotest Avatar
antiprotest
51 months ago
I want privacy options that are actually controlled on the device by the user, not privacy information that is merely declared. It is not enough to show me which domains an app accessed. I need to block the app and/or the device from accessing those domains.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
erikkfi Avatar
erikkfi
51 months ago
Maybe Elon Musk bought Apple too.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
J
jbmelby
51 months ago
I just checked, and the privacy label for my app is still there.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
svish
51 months ago
Glad to hear that it is fixed now.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
K
kc9hzn
51 months ago

As noted on Twitter ('https://twitter.com/jay_san25/status/1518584847530352640'), privacy labels for apps on the App Store on both iOS and macOS have mysteriously disappeared, and the reason remains unclear.
Sigh, news sites really need to be more careful with their language. “Mysteriously disappeared” has strong connotations of conspiracy, and this appears to have been an unintentional bug. Bugs happen (which I appreciate, gives me job security!).

Yes, conspiracies do sometimes happen (both among corporations and among governments). But priming people to think conspiratorially probably isn’t helpful, as it makes people more vulnerable to charlatans peddling conspiracy theories that target what they already believe. For instance, if you’re already biased against processed foods on account of health, that makes you substantially more vulnerable to dodgy superfoods advertising (“this one trick” or “never eat this again”). There are just as many fake conspiracy theories peddled by someone who makes money from them as there are organic conspiracy theories or actual conspiracies.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H
hagar
51 months ago

Will they be missed? They’re not exactly worth a rub.
They’re confusing and I can imagine most people don’t even look at them.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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