Apple Briefly Revokes Google's App Access Over Data Collection Rule Violation
Apple temporarily blocks Google's internal iOS apps after discovering the company used a special enterprise certificate to distribute a data-collecting app outside the App Store. Both companies resolve the issue quickly, restoring access to employee tools like Gmail and YouTube.
Apple temporarily blocks Google from distributing internal iOS apps after discovering that the search giant abuses its enterprise certificate. A TechCrunch investigation reveals that Google uses this special developer certificate to distribute Screenwise Meter, a consumer-facing data collection app that bypasses the official App Store. This violation prompts Apple to immediately revoke Google's enterprise access.
The sudden ban causes significant disruption for Google employees, who lose access to internal versions of popular apps like Gmail, YouTube, Maps, and company shuttle tools. Both companies express a desire to fix the issue quickly, with spokespeople stating that they work together to restore the necessary certificates. The loss of productivity serves as a stark reminder of the risks of violating Apple's strict developer agreements.
Google admits that the Screenwise Meter app should not have operated under the enterprise program and calls the distribution a mistake. This situation closely mirrors a similar recent rebuke against Facebook, which also faces a ban for abusing its certificates to run a research app that pays teenagers for their web activity. Apple ultimately reinstates Google's certificates later in the day, returning full functionality to the affected corporate apps.