Recently the applications in the Apple App Store have been subjected to a long line of criticism because the developers have access to many APIs through which they can take almost anything from our iDevice. Apple stated that it will improve security measures to protect its users and last night it was learned that Apple together with Google, Amazon, HP, RIM and Microsoft signed an agreement made by the Attorney General of the State of California, Kamala D. Harris, which stipulates that all companies will implement new security measures for applications that access users' personal data.
The agreement with the platforms is designed to ensure that mobile apps comply with the California Online Privacy Protection Act. The Act requires operators of commercial web sites and online services, including mobile apps, who collect personally identifiable information about Californians to conspicuously post a privacy policy.
All 6 companies will have to tell the users what confidential information they are going to access the applications that will be installed and everything before they are actually installed in the terminals. All companies will have to design a message that will be displayed in a similar way, the officials of the American state wanting in this way to protect users through a simple method available on the main platforms for mobile terminals. The agreement was concluded at the insistence of the California Attorney General, but it applies to operating systems that will be used all over the globe. In 6 months, the attorney general of California will evaluate the progress made by the companies in implementing this system and those who will not keep their promises could be criminally investigated.
Your personal privacy should not be the cost of using mobile apps, but all too often it is.. This agreement strengthens the privacy protections of California consumers and of millions of people around the globe who use mobile apps. By ensuring that mobile apps have privacy policies, we create more transparency and give mobile users more informed control over who accesses their personal information and how it is used. California has a unique commitment to protecting the privacy of our residents. Our constitution directly guarantees a right to privacy, and we will defend it. Forging this common statement of mobile privacy principles shows the power of collaboration — among government, industry and consumers — to create solutions to problems no one group can tackle alone.
