iPhone apps can use notifications to send ads

On March 4, 2020, Apple updated  App Store guidelines, changing the traditionally strict push notification limits. Apple has long banned apps from using notifications for “advertising, promotions, or direct marketing,” but this is changing now. Applications can now send marketing notifications when “customers have clearly chosen to receive them.”. Users should also be able to opt-out of receiving ads.

The changes occurred after several incidents over the past two years when Apple changed its own rules by sending out push notifications similar to ads. Third-party applications may be blocked or revoked by push notification privileges due to this behavior. These actions have been criticized as yet another example of how Apple refuses special treatment because it controls the platform.

Apple says all new apps and app updates will be required to be built with the iOS 13 SDK starting April 30, 2020. That enables apps to offer features such as Dark Mode, ARKit 3, Core ML 3, and more. Apple also requires developers to prepare their apps to be fully compatible with all currently supported devices, including the iPhone 11 Pro Max and the new 7th generation iPad.

Sign In with Apple, which allows users to access applications with their Apple ID credentials, also needs to be implemented by April 30, 2020, in apps that already offer other ways to connect, such as through Facebook and Google accounts. There are new resources available for developers to properly implement that feature, including new downloadable logos and buttons.

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