Apple Inc. is cracking down on apps that collect the contact lists of iOS device users without seeking permission, and is working on a software fix to address the problem.
But tech site CNET said that while Apple is working on such a software patch, it has yet to specify a date when it would release it.
"Apps that collect or transmit a user's contact data without their prior permission are in violation of our guidelines ... We're working to make this even better for our customers, and as we have done with location services, any app wishing to access contact data will require explicit user approval in a future software release," it quoted Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr as saying.
CNET said Apple considers iOS applications that collect user contact data as violating its guidelines.
The crackdown appeared to stem from a controversy when a popular iOS and Android app - Path - was found collecting user contact information without permission.
Path has apologized,
saying it was using that data to alert users to when their friends joined the social network. It updated its app to require users to opt in to the feature.
CNET also cited reports claiming other popular apps such as Foursquare and Twitter shared this behavior.
No date yet
Apple did not offer a specific date on when the patch would be rolled out.
But CNET noted Apple is now beta-testing iOS 5.1 with developers.
Last year, Apple figured in a controversy over user data involving the logging of user location data, which was found to be stored unencrypted. — TJD, GMA News
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