[Ginzo Milani]

<h3>Guideline 5.1.2 – Legal – Privacy – Data Use and Sharing</h3>
We noticed that your app uses analytics software to collect and send device data to third parties. Specifically, your app uses third-party analytics such as Google Analytics and Firebase.

<b>Next Steps</b>

Please note that you may only collect device data to provide a service or function that is directly relevant to the use of your app. You may not use analytics software to collect and send device data to third parties.
<h3>Guideline 5.1.4 – Legal – Privacy – Kids</h3>
We noticed that your app collects, transmits, or has the ability to share personal information from a minor but is not in compliance with the applicable children’s privacy statutes.
<b>Next Steps</b>

To resolve this issue, please revise your app to remove this functionality or modify the functionality to comply with all children’s privacy statutes.

When submitting my app, I am receiving the following from Apple. I only have Soomla, Admob, and Felgo’s Game Network plugins, to add to this I am running a free license so I can’t even use analytics even if I wanted to. I asked for clarification from Apple but I have my suspicions that one of the 3 plugins has binaries that includes analytics

[AlexFelgo Team]

Hi,

the Google AdMob SDK internally might use Analytics as well. Are you sure you want to use the “Kids” category in the Apple store? Because this comes with a couple of limitations and additions to consider. Also using ads in an “Kids” app can be permitted by Apple.

Is there already a respones from Apple?

Cheers,
Alex

[Ginzo Milani]

Yeah I’ve been trying to make a kid friendly game, removing the ads resolved the issue. Analytics and Ads should really be separate entities as you are basically tracking users without permission and without the app owners knowledge as the API’s does not mention it

[Jeremy Kotai]

Apple needs to be more specific with their guidelines. I am working for a client building an app for kids. With Apples new rules based around 3rd party analytics I am wondering if I am able to still work with Firebase to log interface actions. To be specific: Do the new rules prevent us from saving into a Firebase database, the interface actions of the user? The reason for logging that info would be to see where the sticking points are in the app so that we can improve the UX (not to share data with anyone). We want to be 100% compliant. And if we cannot use Firebase would open source analytics be allowed? 

When I reached out to Apple they responded:
<div>“Thank you for contacting App Store Review regarding the new guideline changes and utilizing Firebase for analytics.</div>
<div>We are unable to provide guidance on app ideas or concepts. After you have submitted your app, we will provide feedback during the review process, if applicable.</div>
<div>If we have questions about your app or any of its implementations during review, we will reach out to you directly.</div>
<div>Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the App Store Review Guidelines and the App Review process before submitting your app.”</div>

[Ginzo Milani]

jeremykotai@gmail.com said:

Apple needs to be more specific with their guidelines. I am working for a client building an app for kids. With Apples new rules based around 3rd party analytics I am wondering if I am able to still work with Firebase to log interface actions. To be specific: Do the new rules prevent us from saving into a Firebase database, the interface actions of the user? The reason for logging that info would be to see where the sticking points are in the app so that we can improve the UX (not to share data with anyone). We want to be 100% compliant. And if we cannot use Firebase would open source analytics be allowed? 

When I reached out to Apple they responded:
<div>“Thank you for contacting App Store Review regarding the new guideline changes and utilizing Firebase for analytics.</div>
<div>We are unable to provide guidance on app ideas or concepts. After you have submitted your app, we will provide feedback during the review process, if applicable.</div>
<div>If we have questions about your app or any of its implementations during review, we will reach out to you directly.</div>
<div>Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the App Store Review Guidelines and the App Review process before submitting your app.”</div>

They wouldn’t have it until I removed the ads entirely, they are also very very rigid about these things so don’t get surprised if they won’t let your app pass and you’ll basically need to make your own analytics functions.

[Jeremy Kotai]

Right! And are you thinking that they would also deny the use of open source analytics or platforms like Countly, Snowplow,  Matomo?