Apple just tightened its App Store rules, and AI developers will have to pay attention.

The company has recently updated its App Review Guidelines to outline how apps must handle personal data when connecting to external AI services. In short, developers can no longer pass user information to another model without first notifying the users.

The new rule requires apps to clearly disclose when personal data is shared with third parties, including third-party AI, and to get explicit user permission first. While it seems like a minor policy tweak, it reflects a significant shift in how Apple plans to regulate AI-powered apps.

For developers and IT leaders, it’s a signal to review their data practices now to avoid potential compliance issues down the road.

What’s changing and why it matters

Apple’s revised App Review Guidelines went live on Nov. 13, 2025, adding new language about AI data handling and user consent. The update, detailed on Apple’s official developer site, makes clear that apps must now disclose when personal data is sent to external AI systems and obtain users’ permission before doing so.

The newly revised guideline adds the following sentence: “You must clearly disclose where personal data will be shared with third parties, including with third-party AI, and obtain explicit permission before doing so.

Data collected from apps may only be shared with third parties to improve the app or serve advertising (in compliance with the Apple Developer Program License Agreement).” According to CNET, the language echoes previous guidelines but specifically calls out artificial intelligence as a third party.

The change highlights Apple’s ongoing effort to enhance privacy controls as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into app experiences. Apple is targeting apps that send user data to external AI systems, which emphasizes the company’s focus on transparency and user control.

Apple also made clear that apps attempting to cheat the system will face consequences. This includes manipulating the review process, stealing user data, copying other developers’ work, or gaming ratings and discovery. Apps that violate these rules will be removed from the App Store, and developers will be expelled from the Apple Developer Program.

Implications for developers and enterprises

Developers who build apps that rely on external AI tools must now audit how they handle user data. Teams must ensure that any data transmitted to external AI services, such as chatbots, image generation tools, or recommendation engines, is clearly disclosed to users and obtained with their explicit approval.

The new rule also means developers can no longer rely on broad consent forms or general privacy language. Instead, they must offer specific, transparent explanations for how personal data is shared with AI systems.

For enterprise developers, the update underscores the need to re-evaluate SDKs, API contracts, and data governance processes. Noncompliance could delay App Store approvals or lead to rejection, reflecting a growing push to align AI tools with established privacy frameworks.

A broader signal on AI transparency

The Digital Watch Observatory reported that the changes curb how apps send user data to external AI systems, aligning Apple’s policies with a broader global movement toward AI accountability and transparency.

Industry observers note that Apple’s decision mirrors broader regulatory trends in Europe and Asia, where governments are already tightening oversight of AI data handling. By updating its developer guidelines now, Apple positions itself ahead of potential legal mandates while reinforcing its reputation as a privacy-first brand.

For IT and compliance teams, the message is clear: any app using third-party AI must provide explicit disclosures and user controls. As AI becomes central to app development, Apple’s update could serve as a benchmark for data governance across other platforms.

For more on how to build strong data oversight, read TechRepublic’s guide on the eight common data governance challenges.