Apple Developers Required to Add 'Account Deletion' Option by June 30

Urian B., Tech Times 24 May 2022, 11:05 pm

Apple will be implementing a new requirement for its developers that is expected to go live on June 30 of this year. This new implementation will require Apple Developers to add an account deletion option for their users.

Apps Should Offer an In-App Way to Delete User Accounts

According to the story by MacRumors, Apple will require all of its developers to not only add support for account creation but also account deletion. This means that should the app allow its users to sign up within the app, there should also be an "in-app way to delete said account later on."

When the Cupertino giant first introduced its App Store changes in June of 2021, this actually included the account deletion rule. Apple initially wanted to require its developers to support account deletion much earlier.

Company Changed Its Timeline for Required Account Deletion Option

The original plan was for account deletion to be supported as early as January 31, 2022. That deadline, however, has been pushed way back in order to give developers more time to implement the changes.

Now, Apple will be enforcing its new timeline and will give developers only until the end of June for them to comply. By the end of June, the Cupertino giant will require all apps to have an easy account deletion option in-app.

Apple Will Require Developers to Make Deletion Easier

As per the guidelines, the company requires developers to make deletion much easier for users. This means that apps that previously offered temporary disablement or deactivation won't be enough and will still be required to add deletion to their options.

When it comes to account deletion for certain highly regulated industries, Apple says that the app can still offer customer service flows to assist users when deleting their accounts. This, however, does not apply to industries considered outside of the highly regulated list.

Apple Says Accounts Don't Need to be Immediately or Automatically Deleted if It Takes Time

Industries that are not considered highly regulated, as per Apple, should not make things hard on their user. Due to this decision, the Cupertino giant notes that they should not require their users to make a call, send an email, or go through numerous steps just so that their account can be deleted.

Apple released a more detailed guideline regarding what they are expecting from developers when it comes to account deletion. Developers have already been given a timeline and the company expects their apps to have an easier deletion option by the end of June.

When the new guidelines are enforced regarding account deletion, apps that fail to do so will risk breaching the Apple guidelines and may have to deal with penalties. There is, however, a section within the guidelines that says if users have to be manually deleted and it takes time, Apple will not require their deletion to be automatic and immediate.

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Written by Urian B.