It has recently been reported that Apple allowed several fake Baidu artificial intelligence (AI) applications to appear in the App Store. Many of these applications contained improperly obtained user data and violated Apple’s own guidelines for developers.
The scandal involves applications made by Chinese tech giant Baidu, which utilise facial recognition technology to identify and track certain individuals. These applications were distributed as part of a larger asset package, which allowed them to be downloaded to Apple devices without the approval of Apple’s App Store review process.
A New York Times report cited that users complained about seeing their photos appear in apps that they didn’t authorize, which suggests that Baidu was collecting and sharing users’ facial data through the applications. As the apps lacked approval from the App Store review process, there was no basis for Apple to monitor and control these activities, raising concerns over user privacy.
The report also stated that Apple neglected to take any action against Baidu when the issue was brought to their attention. Apple spokesperson Fred Sainz confirmed that some of the applications issued by Baidu had been removed, but “implementation issues,” mean that many still remain.
Not only does this scandal demonstrate a breach of consumer protections, but it also calls into questioning the enforcement of Apple’s own App Store guidelines. Developers and users alike, should be wary of applications found in the App Store that are from developers with no proven track record.
The incident has sparked a debate as to how developers should be monitored, with concerns that Apple may not be able to effectively police the App Store. It hints ineffectiveness of Apple’s strict policy when it comes to applications from new developers, with many suggesting that a more stringent review process should be implemented in the future.
Ultimately, this scandal highlights the need for Apple and other companies to be more vigilant when it comes to approving applications, particularly those with sensitive data collection capabilities. It is important that consumers are able to trust that their data is safe and that their privacy is respected, and any violations of this right should be taken seriously.
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