App rejected for uploading scores without consent

Solar2D iOS
#1

Anyone ever have this happen?   My game prompts the user to enter a username and then uploads their scores to a simple high scores database.   It was rejected with the following message:

Legal - 5.1.2
**We noticed that your app does not obtain the user’s consent prior to uploading users’ scores to a global leaderboard.

Please see attached screenshots for details.

To collect personal data with your app, you must make it clear to the user that their personal data will be uploaded to your server.

Next Steps

Please revise your app to include a privacy policy URL in the App Information page on iTunes Connect and ensure that the URL you provide directs users to your privacy policy.**

Curious, considering they approved the initial release of the very same game a week ago.  This was just an update unrelated to scores.   They also approved an update of *another* game that does the exact same thing just last week.  

Apple really can be soul-crushing at times.   FYI, according to them, here is the relevant section of the App Store Review Guidelines that I breached:

  • 5.1.2 Data Use and Sharing
    • (i) Apps cannot use or transmit someone’s personal data without first obtaining their permission and providing access to information about how and where the data will be used.
    • (ii) Data collected from apps may not be used or shared with third parties for purposes unrelated to improving the user experience or software/hardware performance connected to the app’s functionality, or to serve advertising in compliance with the Apple Developer Program License Agreement.
    • (iii) Data gathered from the HomeKit API may not be used for advertising or other use-based data mining.
    • (iv) Apps using Apple Pay may only share user data acquired via Apple Pay with third parties to facilitate or improve delivery of goods and services.
#2

Nope, I publish multiple leader boards (using my own server) and have never had this problem.  Although I don’t ask for username but city names (my game is a city builder).

Maybe switch your game to obtaining a user name prior to upload (like on the first app load) and then just uploading at a later date.

I do allow players to play anonymously so maybe that doesn’t trip their filters?

#3

I asked if I should prompt the user for permission with a simple alert box, the reviewer said they couldn’t give app advice and pointed me to 7 or 8 links to app development guides.   I added the alert and also a privacy policy, we’ll see how it goes.

#4

Approved now.   Good news is that the review process seems to be around 2 days.

#5

Happy to report that the 48-hour approval process for the iOS App Store appears to be a thing now.   I’ve submitted one new app and several updates in the past week or so, all done in 2 days.   

Anyone else noticing different?

#6

Apple does considerably more checks when you upload the app through their auto scanner which takes a considerable load off of the human testers. They’ve been in the 2-3 day range for some time.

Rob

#7

What is their “auto scanner”?   I’ve always used Application Loader from XCode.   Used to take 5+ days, now at 2 days on the button every time.

#8

When you upload your app through Application Loader, Apple runs some automated process on your submission that happens before it becomes available in iTunes Connect for submitting or beta testing. If everything passes about 10 minutes after you upload, you get an email from Apple saying everything is okay. If they find a problem (missing icons, illegal API calls, etc.) that email will have the reason why you were rejected. That’s their auto scanner. I don’t know what it’s real name is.

Rob

#9

Nope, I publish multiple leader boards (using my own server) and have never had this problem.  Although I don’t ask for username but city names (my game is a city builder).

Maybe switch your game to obtaining a user name prior to upload (like on the first app load) and then just uploading at a later date.

I do allow players to play anonymously so maybe that doesn’t trip their filters?

#10

I asked if I should prompt the user for permission with a simple alert box, the reviewer said they couldn’t give app advice and pointed me to 7 or 8 links to app development guides.   I added the alert and also a privacy policy, we’ll see how it goes.

#11

Approved now.   Good news is that the review process seems to be around 2 days.

#12

Happy to report that the 48-hour approval process for the iOS App Store appears to be a thing now.   I’ve submitted one new app and several updates in the past week or so, all done in 2 days.   

Anyone else noticing different?

#13

Apple does considerably more checks when you upload the app through their auto scanner which takes a considerable load off of the human testers. They’ve been in the 2-3 day range for some time.

Rob

#14

What is their “auto scanner”?   I’ve always used Application Loader from XCode.   Used to take 5+ days, now at 2 days on the button every time.

#15

When you upload your app through Application Loader, Apple runs some automated process on your submission that happens before it becomes available in iTunes Connect for submitting or beta testing. If everything passes about 10 minutes after you upload, you get an email from Apple saying everything is okay. If they find a problem (missing icons, illegal API calls, etc.) that email will have the reason why you were rejected. That’s their auto scanner. I don’t know what it’s real name is.

Rob