Apple's New Privacy Playbook Targets AI Data Sharing

In a significant move for user privacy, Apple updated its App Review Guidelines this week with stricter requirements around artificial intelligence data practices. Starting immediately, all apps must obtain explicit permission before sharing personal information with third-party AI systems.

The Consent Revolution

The tech giant isn't introducing entirely new rules—Apple's policies have long prohibited unauthorized data sharing under global privacy laws like GDPR. What's changed is specificity: for the first time, "third-party artificial intelligence" gets called out by name in section 5.1.2(i).

"Apps must clearly disclose which third parties (including third-party artificial intelligence) personal data will be shared with," states the updated guideline, "and obtain explicit consent before sharing." Violators risk removal from the App Store.

Why Now?

The timing aligns perfectly with Apple's roadmap for Siri. Sources indicate the voice assistant will receive major AI upgrades in 2026, including cross-app functionality powered partly by Google's Gemini technology. As Apple expands its own AI capabilities, it's simultaneously tightening safeguards against competitors.

The Enforcement Challenge

One lingering question involves definitions—"artificial intelligence" encompasses everything from ChatGPT-style large language models to basic recommendation algorithms. Developers await clarification on where Apple will draw compliance lines.

The update forms part of broader guideline revisions that also address:

• Support for the new Mini App Program
• Updated rules for creator and loan service apps
• Classification of cryptocurrency exchanges as highly regulated services