Changes in App Store Guidelines for Login Requirements

Apple is introducing further minor yet notable changes to the App Store login requirements. The company has abandoned the rule that apps using external login options such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter must also offer Sign in with Apple.

However, this change comes with an important caveat. While developers are not technically obligated to use Sign in with Apple, they must still provide an “additional login service with specific privacy features.”

Previously, the App Store Guidelines stated:

“Apps that use a third-party or social login service (such as Facebook Login, Google Sign-In, Sign in with Twitter, Sign in with LinkedIn, Login with Amazon, or Login with WeChat) for account creation or authentication must also offer Sign in with Apple as an equivalent option. A primary user account is the account that users establish in your app for the purposes of identifying, logging in, and accessing features and related services.”

In the updated App Store Guidelines released this week, Apple stated that apps using external login services “must also offer an alternative login service as an equivalent option” with the following privacy features:

The login service limits data collection to the user’s name and email address.
The login service allows users to maintain the privacy of their email address during account setup.
The login service does not track user activity within the app.

This change applies to App Store Guidelines worldwide. Apple also mentioned these changes in their press release published on Thursday.

Like before, Apple has provided four exceptions to the mandatory privacy-protecting login requirement:

Your app uses exclusively your company’s own login and configuration solutions.
Your app is an educational, enterprise, or business app that requires users to sign in with an existing educational or business account.
Your app uses a government or industry-specific citizen identification system or electronic identification for user authentication.
Your app is a client for a specific external service provider, and users must directly sign in to their email, social media, or other third-party accounts to access their content.

Are there other login services that meet these requirements besides Sign in with Apple? While it is not clear, there is speculation that Apple has carefully worded these guidelines to practically compel developers to continue using Sign in with Apple, even if the guidelines do not explicitly state so.

As you may recall, this is not the first time that Sign in with Apple guidelines for the App Store have caused some controversy. After its debut in June 2019, Apple initially introduced strict guidelines regarding the requirement and timeline for offering this option. However, Apple eased those guidelines a few months later in response to feedback.

Source: iPhoneSoft

FAQ:

What changes is Apple making in the App Store?

Apple has abandoned the requirement for apps using external login options like Google, Facebook, and Twitter to also offer Sign in with Apple.

Are developers obligated to use Sign in with Apple for login?

Technically, developers are not obligated to use Sign in with Apple, but they must offer an “additional login service with specific privacy features.”

What are the privacy features of the login service offered by Apple?

The login service offered by Apple limits data collection to the user’s name and email address, allows users to maintain the privacy of their email address during account setup, and does not track user activity within the app.

Are there other login services that meet the requirements besides Sign in with Apple?

It is unclear, but there is speculation that Apple hopes developers will continue to use Sign in with Apple even if the guidelines do not explicitly state so.

Are there exceptions to the mandatory privacy-protecting login requirement?

Yes, there are four exceptions: apps using their own login and configuration solutions, educational, enterprise, or business apps requiring users to sign in with existing accounts, apps using government or industry-specific identification systems, and apps acting as clients for external service providers where users must sign in to their accounts directly.

Have the Sign in with Apple guidelines for the App Store caused controversy before?

Yes, the Sign in with Apple guidelines have sparked some controversy in the past, but Apple eventually eased the guidelines after some time.

Definitions:

App Store: A digital platform provided by Apple where users can download applications to their mobile devices.
Sign in with Apple: A login option offered by Apple that allows users to log in to apps using their Apple account.
Guidelines: Instructions or rules specifying requirements or expectations.