Privacy manifest and SDK signature requirements for submitting apps to AppStore

① Regarding the conditions for adding the privacy manifest file We publish iOS apps on the AppStore that incorporate privacy manifests and SDKs (Alamofire, etc.) that are subject to signatures. NEWS Regarding "Requirements for third-party SDKs that will be applied soon", we have already released the SDK with the target SDK installed, so "Even if the app itself is updated, the privacy manifest will not be included in the target SDK. I understand that it is possible to publish it to the AppStore without any problems without including it, but is this correct? We believe that this app's update does not fall under the "submit new apps" or "submit an app update that adds one of the listed SDKs as part of the update" and is therefore not subject to the update. Based on the above, please answer which of the following is correct? Answer A: There is no need to add a privacy manifest to the target SDK if it has been published with the target SDK incorporated. Answer B: A privacy manifest needs to be added to the target SDK even if it has been published with the target SDK incorporated.

②-1 About SDK signature Regarding the statement "Any version of a listed SDK, as well as any SDKs that repackage those on the list, are included in the requirement", unless the SDK distributor repackages and incorporates it, there is no SDK signature. But I wonder if it will be rejected by the AppStore? Based on the above, please answer which of the following is correct? Answer A: A repackaged SDK will not be rejected by the App Store even if it does not have an SDK signature unless it is included. Answer B: If you do not include the repackaged SDK, it will be rejected by the AppStore.

②-2 About SDK signature Only .xcframework is recognized as the SDK format that requires a signature, but is this correct? In other words, if you are using a binary format such as .framework, .a, or .b, or if you are using an SDK but are not using a binary format and are writing the source code directly as the application source code. In this case, there is no need for an SDK signature and there is no recognition difference. Based on the above, please answer which of the following is correct? Answer A: The only SDK format that requires a signature is .xcframework. Answer B: Apps using binary formats such as .framework, .a, and .b cannot be signed, so apps using those frameworks will not be accepted on the App Store.

③ Regarding SDKs other than “SDKs subject to privacy manifest and signature” NEWS For SDKs that are not listed in "Requirements for third-party SDKs that will be applied soon", it is my understanding that adding a privacy manifest file and signing an SDK are not required (= publishing to the App Store is possible even if they are not done). Isn't there a difference? (The above is interpreted from the wording of the relevant page, ``From Spring 2024 onward, regarding the SDKs listed below.'') Based on the above, please answer which of the following is correct? Answer A: For SDKs that are not listed, adding a privacy manifest file and signing the SDK is optional (even if it is not supported, it can be published on the AppStore) Answer B: Even for SDKs not listed, adding a privacy manifest file and signing the SDK is required.

④-1 APIs that require a reason If it is not necessary to add the target SDK manifest file for reasons such as ① above (the target SDK is already installed and does not fall under "submit an app update that adds one of the listed SDKs as part of the update" case), is it possible to publish the SDK to the AppStore in a state where there is no description of the API that requires a reason? Based on the above, please answer which of the following is correct? Answer A: If the additional requirements of the privacy manifest do not apply, there is no need to describe the API that requires a reason for the applicable SDK. Answer B: Even if the additional requirements of the privacy manifest do not apply, APIs for which a reason is required for the applicable SDK must also be described.

④-2 APIs that require a reason Is it possible to publish to the AppStore even if I write the contents of "API requiring a reason" in the privacy manifest of the target SDK as part of the app itself? (Because the repository becomes read-only due to AFNetworking, etc., it is not expected that a version with a manifest file added will be released) Based on the above, please answer which of the following is correct? Answer A: It is possible to publish to the AppStore even if the contents of "API that requires a reason", which should be written in the privacy manifest in the target SDK, are written in the app itself. Answer B: If you include the content of "API requiring a reason" in the privacy manifest of the target SDK as part of the app itself, it will be rejected.

⑤ Regarding SDKs used by third-party SDKs If an SDK listed in the list is used inside a third-party SDK, it will not be subject to AppStore rejection even if the third-party SDK does not have a privacy manifest or is not signed. But isn't there a difference? (Only the third-party SDK vendor can know about the SDK used inside the third-party SDK, and it is not something that can be guaranteed by the developer of the application that incorporates it.) Based on the above, please answer which of the following is correct? Answer A: The developer of the application that incorporates the SDK used internally by a third-party SDK does not have to guarantee it. Answer B: The SDK used internally by a third-party SDK must be guaranteed by the developer of the application that incorporates it.

Privacy manifest and SDK signature requirements for submitting apps to AppStore
 
 
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