Apple has stripped an apparently small number of apps from its
sprawling App Store, as they pose a security threat to iDevice owners.
The apps, which include ad blockers, all have one thing in common –
they install root certificates in order to monitor mobile data traffic
and carry out their blocking duties, but in doing so, they are
potentially exposing users to being spied upon.
Hence the security risk, with user data passing through the app developer’s server in order for filtering to be carried out.
Reuters
reports that an Apple spokeswoman issued a statement which read: “Apple
is deeply committed to protecting customer privacy and security. We are
working closely with these developers to quickly get their apps back on
the App Store, while ensuring customer privacy and security is not at
risk.”
One of the apps removed was called Been Choice, which blocks adverts in the Safari browser and directly in apps.
The company has since responded, tweeting: “Been’s Choice app was
pulled from the App Store. We’ll remove ad blocking for FB, Google,
Yahoo, and Pinterest apps.”
With this tweak made, the app may well be back in the store very
shortly. It remains to be seen what action other developers who are
affected will take.