Meeting Apple's In-App Deletion Requirement with Transcend

Transcend, the one-stop platform that makes it easy to encode privacy across a company’s tech stack, today released the results of its latest survey of technology decision makers, which assessed their readiness for Apple’s in-app deletion requirements for iOS apps that offer account creation.

The findings show that 71% of companies surveyed are not fully prepared to meet Apple’s June 30, 2022 compliance date. The tech giant’s guidance requires iOS applications that allow account creation to allow for in-app deletion of not just a consumer’s account but deletion of their entire personal data footprint.

In addition, Transcend’s research found that:

• In order to comply, over two-thirds of companies plan to invest significant engineering time to address Apple’s mandate.
• Less than a quarter of respondents understand the full scope of Apple’s in-app deletion requirements, despite clarifications from Apple.

After working with leading consumer brands to help easily solve the issue, Transcend is today rolling out a new product as part of their privacy platform that specifically equips companies with the ability to programmatically delete user accounts and erase personal data through their in-app interface—without the engineering lift.

With Transcend’s offering, companies can fulfill account and data deletion requests across their entire data footprint with pre-built workflows and include checks or holds as required. With Transcend’s dedicated onboarding and technical support, companies can offer fully compliant solutions for Apple’s requirement in less than a week.

Apple’s Directive

In October 2021, Apple updated their App Store Guidelines to require that “all apps that allow for account creation must also allow users to initiate deletion of their account from within the app.”

The company went on to clarify that app providers should “review any laws that may require you to maintain certain types of data, and to make sure your app clearly explains what data your app collects, how it collects that data, all uses of that data, your data retention/deletion policies, and more as described in the guideline.

Examples of this type of data include electronic health records, and sales and warranty records. Please also confirm that the app privacy information on your product page is accurate.”

What This Means for App Developers

Apple has shown increasing scrutiny over app updates and signaled it is not afraid to reject or remove apps from the store when they don’t meet guidelines. Moreover, with consumer privacy initiatives at an all-time high for Apple, developers should have every reason to believe Apple will take non-compliance seriously.

Transcend’s In-App Data Deletion Product Fills the Gap

Today, Transcend introduced the In-App Data Deletion product into its unified privacy platform. With Transcend In-App Deletion—already in use by existing Transcend customers—companies can quickly comply with Apple’s requirement, efficiently handle increased volumes of data deletion requests, and be comprehensively prepared to meet deletion requirements from GDPR, CCPA, and any future privacy regulations.

With clear technical guidance and out-of-the-box data deletion workflows across over 1,300 pre-built integrations and application connections, companies using Transcend In-App Deletion can get into compliance within days and stay in the App Store, well ahead of Apple’s June 30 deadline.

Explore Transcend’s In-App Deletion product.

About Transcend

Transcend is the one-stop privacy platform that makes it easy to encode privacy across your tech stack.

We empower leading brands with freed-up resources, future-proofed regulatory stances for the laws of tomorrow, and stronger relationships with customers through respectful and compliant data transparency, consent, and control.

Speak to our team to learn more.