Apple deletes apps that gather personal info

Apple removes 250 apps from its App Store. The applications in question are mostly from China and were downloaded by a million users, according to app analytics service SourceDNA.

The apps' developers used a software development kit from a Chinese advertising company called Youmi, which allowed them to put ads in their apps. Youmi then allegedly farmed the information from users, largely unbeknownst to the actual developers of the apps.

"We've identified a group of apps that are using a third-party advertising SDK, developed by Youmi, a mobile advertising provider, that uses private APIs to gather private information, such as user email addresses and device identifiers, and route data to its company server," a statement from Apple read. "This is a violation of our security and privacy guidelines. The apps using Youmi's SDK will be removed from the App Store and any new apps submitted to the App Store using this SDK will be rejected. We are working closely with developers to help them get updated versions of their apps that are safe for customers and in compliance with our guidelines back in the App Store quickly."

SourceDNA did not reveal which apps were affected. The company told Apple about the problem on October 18, 2015, and Apple removed the apps the day after.

Those who already downloaded the apps will still be able to use them but the apps won't be updated.

Last week, Apple banned a group of apps that were able to peek into encrypted communications between the iPhones they were installed on and the servers the phones communicated with.

In late September, the app store experrienced a major attack, making Apple to remove dozens of popular apps that had been infected by the malware. The malicious apps were capable of tricking customers into giving up their iCloud passwords and opening dangerous websites.