Apple Reveals Government App Takedown Requests in Landmark Transparency Report
Apple publishes government app removal requests for the first time, revealing 80 requests from 11 countries to pull 634 apps. China accounts for the vast majority of these takedown demands.
Apple releases new transparency data showing it receives 80 requests from 11 countries to remove 634 apps from localized App Stores during the second half of 2018. China accounts for the vast majority of these demands by seeking the removal of 517 apps that allegedly violate its gambling and pornography laws. Other nations like Vietnam, Austria, and Kuwait also request app takedowns over localized legal violations concerning gambling and privacy.
In a significant move for government surveillance transparency, Apple also publishes several national security letters (NSLs) for the first time. These controversial FBI subpoenas come with gag orders that the bureau recently lifts under rules established by the 2015 Freedom Act. The company previously reveals its receipt of an NSL in 2017 but now shares the actual documents, giving the public a rare look at these secretive data demands.
Overall government demands for device access decline by almost ten percent compared to the previous reporting period. Germany tops the list with over 12,000 requests, which Apple attributes primarily to local police investigations into stolen devices. The United States follows in second place with thousands of requests for device data as global government inquiries into Apple continue to shift and evolve.