Apple forces application developers to “facilitate deletion”

From June 30, Apple will force apps in which users must create an account, to provide a “button” for users to delete the application, whenever they decide to dispense with the application and delete it.

This feature is designed to prevent app developers from trying to keep users subscribed with them, even if they decide to leave, and to put an end to the long searches that users may have to go through on Frequently Asked Questions pages, trying to find a way to unsubscribe and delete the app.

The rules that Apple has asked app developers to provide state that the option to delete the account is “clear and easy to find,” according to the British newspaper, The Sun.

Apple warned developers, saying: “It is not enough to only provide the ability to temporarily disable the account, people must be able to delete the account with their personal data.”

The American company had originally planned to implement this policy at the end of last January, but decided to extend the deadline until the summer, to give developers enough time to prepare.

It is noteworthy that there are some exceptions, such as in highly regulated areas such as banking, where companies are allowed to make the process “more in-depth because of its importance”.

Developers will also have to comply with the laws in each country, to make sure that they keep only the user account information they are allowed to, while deleting the rest.

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