<p>Apple on Monday began adding labels that reveal what user data is gathered by games, chat or other software offered in the App Store for its popular mobile devices.</p>.<p>The iPhone maker announced plans for such "privacy labels" when it first unveiled the new version of its iOS mobile operating system, which it released in September.</p>.<p>"App Store product pages will feature summaries of developers' self-reported privacy practices, displayed in a simple, easy-to-read format," Apple said in a blog post when iOS 14 launched.</p>.<p>"Starting early next year, all apps will be required to obtain user permission before tracking."</p>.<p>Apple began pushing out the labels on Monday, with the rule applying to new apps for iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Mac computers.</p>.<p>The labels will contain information provided by developers when they submit apps for approval to appear on the App Store's virtual shelves, according to the Silicon Valley-based company.</p>.<p>Apple last week began requiring developers to submit privacy information for use in labels.</p>.<p>"Apple recently required that all apps distributed via their App Store display details designed to show people how their data may be used," Facebook-owned smartphone messaging service WhatsApp said in a blog post explaining what data the app gathers.</p>.<p>"We must collect some information to provide a reliable global communications service."</p>.<p>The aim, according to Apple, is for users to be able to easily see and understand what apps do with their data, from lists of contacts to where they are.</p>.<p>Data types added to labels will include tracking in order to target advertising or sharing with data brokers, as well as information that could reveal user identity.</p>.<p>Apple and Android mobile operating systems provide tools for controlling the kinds of data apps can access once they are installed.</p>
<p>Apple on Monday began adding labels that reveal what user data is gathered by games, chat or other software offered in the App Store for its popular mobile devices.</p>.<p>The iPhone maker announced plans for such "privacy labels" when it first unveiled the new version of its iOS mobile operating system, which it released in September.</p>.<p>"App Store product pages will feature summaries of developers' self-reported privacy practices, displayed in a simple, easy-to-read format," Apple said in a blog post when iOS 14 launched.</p>.<p>"Starting early next year, all apps will be required to obtain user permission before tracking."</p>.<p>Apple began pushing out the labels on Monday, with the rule applying to new apps for iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Mac computers.</p>.<p>The labels will contain information provided by developers when they submit apps for approval to appear on the App Store's virtual shelves, according to the Silicon Valley-based company.</p>.<p>Apple last week began requiring developers to submit privacy information for use in labels.</p>.<p>"Apple recently required that all apps distributed via their App Store display details designed to show people how their data may be used," Facebook-owned smartphone messaging service WhatsApp said in a blog post explaining what data the app gathers.</p>.<p>"We must collect some information to provide a reliable global communications service."</p>.<p>The aim, according to Apple, is for users to be able to easily see and understand what apps do with their data, from lists of contacts to where they are.</p>.<p>Data types added to labels will include tracking in order to target advertising or sharing with data brokers, as well as information that could reveal user identity.</p>.<p>Apple and Android mobile operating systems provide tools for controlling the kinds of data apps can access once they are installed.</p>