TechCrunch is reporting that Apple has put together teams to review apps and automatically reject them if they are accessing device UDIDs.
In OS X press "Option" and click your serial number in iTunes, to reveal your UDID
A device’s UDID (Unique Device Identification) is used by many app developers to track usage of their apps, and better determine further development of their products. It is some mobile ad companies only way to track what consumers are buying and target specific ads to these customers. Just over 6 months ago, Apple started warning app developers that, in the future, they may no longer be able to use this method of tracking usage and trends, and now it would seem Apple is following through with this.
Here’s is a quote from the TechCrunch article:
So here’s what I’m hearing. Two of the 10 review teams started doing blanket rejections of apps that access UDIDs this week. Next week, that will rise to four the ten teams, and keep escalating until all 10 teams are turning down apps that are still using UDIDs.
This all stems from security concerns that have arisen over the years, in regards to iOS, and customer’s private data being accessed without permission. Apps like “Path” have been scrutinized for this, but the app was fully approved by Apple. Now, Apple themselves are being proactive and rejecting ANY apps that access UDIDs.
It is unclear if there is a viable alternative to accessing UDIDs. It could be that developers will have to ask permission, before accessing this data. So, you would just get an alert after installing the app that ask to access your UDID, with a Yes or No button. Similar to the way some apps ask for your location after being launched for the first time.
