In another effort to protect users’ privacy on the App Store, Apple will require developers to explain why they need access to specific data under a new policy in order to prevent misuse of application programming interfaces (APIs).

A small set of APIs can be abused to collect data about users’ devices via fingerprinting, which is expressly forbidden by the Apple Developer Program License Agreement, Economic Times reported.

“In order to prevent abuse of these APIs, developers must declare the reasons for using these APIs in their app’s privacy manifest.” This will help ensure that apps only use these APIs for their intended purpose,” said the tech behemoth in a statement.

Developers must choose one or more approved reasons that accurately reflect how their apps use the API as part of this process, and the apps can only use the API for the reasons they have chosen.

“Beginning in fall 2023, when you upload a new app or app update to App Store Connect that uses an API (including from third-party SDKs) that requires a reason, you will receive a notice if you have not provided an approved reason in your app’s privacy manifest,” Apple explained.

When uploading a new app or app update to App Store Connect starting in the spring of 2024, “you will be required to include an approved reason in the app’s privacy manifest that accurately reflects how your app uses the API.”