Apple updates developer agreement with new privacy rules, Japan-specific terms, more

Apple has added new provisions to multiple sections of its Developer Program License Agreement, including Japan-specific terms, following yesterday’s announcement of changes to the App Store. Here’s what’s new.

New terms, requirements, and more

In a post on its Developer blog, Apple outlined a series of changes and updates that have been added to its Developer Program License Agreement.

Here’s Apple’s summarization of the changes:

The Apple Developer Program License Agreement has been revised to support new features, updated policies, and to provide clarification. Please review the changes and sign in to your account to accept the updated terms.

• Section 3.3.3(A): Specified requirement on recordings and privacy.
• Section 3.3.3(J): Specified requirements for launching voice-based conversational apps via the side button on iPhone.
• Definitions, section 3.3.3(P): Specified terms for use of the Declared Age Range API and Significant App Topic Update API.
• Definitions, section 3.3.8(J): Specified requirements for use of the Wi-Fi Infrastructure Framework.
• Attachment 12: Specified terms for iOS apps in Japan, including alternative distribution, alternative payments and out-of-app offers, and the Core Technology Commission.
• Schedules 2 and 3, section 3.4: Specified the right to offset or recoup amounts owed to Apple.
• Schedules 2 and 3, section 5.4: Clarified requirements for consumer protection.

Of all the changes included in the new agreement, Section 3.3.3(J) is perhaps the most intriguing one, particularly subclause (iv), which states:

(iv) To use App Intents for launching via the side button of iPhone when configured by an end user, your voice-based conversational application must (1) launch into a voice experience as the primary modality when the button is pressed; and (2) after launch, appropriately respond to questions or requests and perform actions.

Apple had previously confirmed that launching voice-based conversational apps from the iPhone’s side button would be an upcoming feature exclusive to Japan. However, the updated Developer Program License Agreement doesn’t mention this as a Japan-exclusive feature.

Apple may be leaving the language intentionally broad to avoid revisiting the agreement every time the side button expands to another market. Still, it could also hint at plans to roll the feature out beyond Japan.

We’ve reached out to Apple for clarification and will update this post if we hear back.

To read Apple’s updated Developer Program License Agreement, follow this link.

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