A coalition of developers demanded Apple release an API for apps offering parental controls, after several third-party offerings were removed from the App Store due to security concerns.
More than a dozen providers of parental control apps backed a proposal calling for a public API for Apple’s Screen Time feature, which allows parents to limit the time children spend on their devices. Such a tool would address Apple’s worries and allow the return of third-party options to the App Store, they said.
In April, Apple dropped 11 of the 17 leading parental control apps, citing concerns [1] about their use of Mobile Device Management technology, which gives third parties control over a device and access to sensitive user information.
The move followed the debut of Apple’s Screen Time tool [2] in June 2018.
“There’s an obvious solution and it’s one that developers have been calling for from the start. Apple should release a public API granting developers access to the same functionalities that Apple’s native Screen Time uses,” the developers stated on a website backing the plan.
Apple could not immediately be reached for comment.
The pressure comes as Apple prepares to kick-off its software-focused Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on 3 June. At the event, the company is expected to unveil a slew of iOS and app updates, which are rumoured to include new Screen Time features.
[1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/apple-hits-back-on-parental-control-apps-allegation/[2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/home-banner/apple-prioritises-privacy-in-ios-update/
