Apple plans to restrict how apps implement internet voice call functionality, which currently could allow mobile software to collect data while running in the background. An upcoming change in iOS 13 that limits data collection practices using VoIP APIs will impact apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, forcing them to be redesigned, reports The Information.
The “small but significant change” according to The Information strikes at the heart of Facebook and other messaging apps, and could result in a fundamental rewiring of the applications on the platform.
By introducing this new privacy-focused feature, the iPhone maker hopes to prevent third-party apps from listening in the background to collect your data.
The feature is slated to go live in iOS 13, which is currently in beta and will be officially rolled out next month.
Other messaging app developers that have used the internet calling feature to keep apps running in the background on iOS devices will also need to rebuild their apps. This will include apps like Snapchat, WeChat, and more.
Facebook told The Information that Facebook was not collecting data through its calling feature.
“The changes to the upcoming iOS releases are not insignificant, but we are in conversations with Apple on how best to address,” the spokesperson said. “To be clear–we are using the PushKit VoIP API to deliver a world-class, private messaging experience, not for the purpose of collecting data.”
Facebook says that it is having conversations with Apple on how to address the coming changes in iOS 13. Apple is making the change in iOS 13, but developers will have until April 2020 to comply with the new rules.
