Provision record
Apple · Apple App Store Review Guidelines · View original document ↗

Advertising Restrictions and Targeting Prohibitions

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Document Record

What it is

In-app advertising must match the app's age rating, must provide in-app transparency about targeting information, and may not use sensitive health data, educational data, or children's data for behavioral targeting. Interstitial ads must be clearly labeled, non-deceptive, and include easily dismissible close buttons.

This analysis describes what Apple's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision prohibits behavioral advertising based on HealthKit data, ClassKit data, and children's data, and requires in-app targeting transparency without redirecting users away from the app, creating specific constraints on ad network integrations and programmatic advertising infrastructure.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Jun 9, 2026

The updated guidelines state that developers must ensure kids receive age-appropriate experiences within their apps and must remove user-generated content that violates the guidelines, terms of service, or community standards. Under the revised policy, if Apple identifies policy-violating content, the developer will be asked to remove it and provide a compliance improvement plan. Based on the developer's response, the app may be removed from the App Store until compliance is demonstrated. This establishes a formal escalation pathway where developer inaction or inadequate remediation can result in app suspension or removal.

View change record →

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
5
Months Monitored
Jul 9, 2026
First Seen
Jul 9, 2026
Last Seen

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Under this provision, consumers using apps that display advertising are entitled to in-app access to targeting information used for any ad served to them, and apps may not use health, educational, or children's data for behavioral ad targeting, which affects the types of data that may be used to serve personalized advertising within App Store apps.

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle Advertising Restrictions and Targeting Prohibitions and similar clauses.

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Ads displayed in an app must be appropriate for the app's age rating, allow the user to see all information used to target them for that ad (without requiring the user to leave the app), and may not engage in targeted or behavioral advertising based on sensitive user data such as health/medical data (e.g. from the HealthKit APIs), school and classroom data (e.g. from ClassKit), or from kids (e.g. from apps in the App Store's Kids Category), etc. Interstitial ads or ads that interrupt or block the user experience must clearly indicate that they are an ad, must not manipulate or trick users into tapping into them, and must provide easily accessible and visible close/skip buttons large enough for people to easily dismiss the ad.

Excerpt from Apple's App Store Review Guidelines

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The prohibition on behavioral advertising using HealthKit data interacts with HIPAA where health data originates from covered entities, and with FTC guidance on sensitive data categories.

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →
  • Department Of Health & Human Services, Office For Civil Rights (hhs Ocr)
    Enforces HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, which protect health information held by healthcare providers, health plans, and their business associates.
    Who can file: Anyone whose HIPAA rights may have been violated by a covered entity (healthcare provider, health plan, or healthcare clearinghouse)
    What you need: Name of the entity, description of the violation, date of the incident, and your contact information. Must file within 180 days of the violation.
    What to expect: HHS OCR investigates and may require the entity to take corrective action. Does not provide individual compensation. Serious violations can result in civil monetary penalties.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Apple App Store Review Guidelines
Entity
Apple
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
July 9, 2026
Last verified
July 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-013695
Document ID
CA-D-00025
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
4757c78422154f6dba5cf35af2a90cf427e5b7c56e974238344df717cb9eb93f
Analysis generated
July 9, 2026 03:44 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Apple
Document: Apple App Store Review Guidelines
Record ID: CA-P-013695
Captured: 2026-07-09 03:44:30 UTC
SHA-256: 4757c78422154f6d…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/apple/apple-app-store-review-guidelines/provision/CA-P-013695/advertising-restrictions-and-targeting-prohibitions/
Accessed: Aug. 25, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Apple's Advertising Restrictions and Targeting Prohibitions clause do?

This provision prohibits behavioral advertising based on HealthKit data, ClassKit data, and children's data, and requires in-app targeting transparency without redirecting users away from the app, creating specific constraints on ad network integrations and programmatic advertising infrastructure.

How does this clause affect you?

Under this provision, consumers using apps that display advertising are entitled to in-app access to targeting information used for any ad served to them, and apps may not use health, educational, or children's data for behavioral ad targeting, which affects the types of data that may be used to serve personalized advertising within App Store apps.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Apple?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Apple.