Data confidentiality during app review

Question

SupportMobile OP

Created Jun ’20

Replies 2

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Participants 3

Hi,

My company wants to publish application that is kind of directory that contains some personal information about its employees, company news and other company and personal information. The problem is that before publishing app needs to be reviewed by Apple with demo account and they will acces confidential data. My company wants to know if Apple keeps data confidential when accesing it an application. Is there any legal documents or something else regarding confidentiality of data during app review? Is there any way to publish application without providing to Apple our confidential information for example by providing some test data for demo account?

I know that in house distribution is more suitable in this case but company wants to publish app in App Store.

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Answer 1

john daniel OP

Jun ’20

I'm not sure about Apple policies for restricted apps like that. It may not fly with Apple just due to that.

However, it would be trivial to setup a "new user" group that a reviewer would initially join. It would have only publicly-available contact information for corporate HR. Maybe spin it as an HR gateway. Once you get hired, you have more access.

I don't know how much detail App Review would go, but again, I think you could have problems. Your distribution choice is irrelevent. Apple will treat it as a public app. So if there is any user-generated content, like messages or blog posts, for example, you will need to demonstrate a complete moderation system for it. And if there are any other app review critiera that apply to public apps that would not be applicable in your private one, you get rejected.

0

Answer 2

KMT OP

Jun ’20

Check your Developer Agreement for Apple's policies surrounding protection of the account holder's privacy. And yes, I believe it is common to employ demo accounts for use during testing. Feel free to use that app's meta data 'notes' to explain.

Otherwise, I think your stated small (?) audience is not in your favor when targeting the store. Expect push-back and recommendations to find other channels. Not everything needs an app...Apple knows that having one in the store is sometimes more of a trophy for the account holder, than an example that showcases the platform to a public audience.

Good luck.

1