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

Ads must not use sensitive data for targeting

High severity High confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Common · 141 of 352 platforms
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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 prohibition directly limits how ad networks and developers can monetize app audiences by restricting use of the most sensitive personal data categories for targeting.

Interpretive note: The excerpt uses 'such as', indicating the listed data types are examples rather than an exhaustive list; the full scope of 'sensitive user data' may be broader than the named categories.

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
4
Months Monitored
Jul 10, 2026
First Seen
Jul 10, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 366 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Users whose health, educational, or children's data is present in an app are protected from having that data used to target them with behavioral advertising.

How other platforms handle this

TikTok Medium

you can navigate to "Ads" in your in-app settings to manage how your activity elsewhere online is used to serve you ads on our websites and apps.

Meta Ads Medium

If advertisers target their ads to custom audiences, they must comply with the applicable terms when creating an audience.

Snapchat Ads Medium

Ads for certain products or services may not be targeted on the basis of gender, age, or location.

See all platforms with this clause type →

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Ads displayed in an app...may not engage in targeted or behavioral advertising based on sensitive user data such as health/medical data...school and classroom data...or from kids...

— Excerpt from Apple's Apple App Store Review Guidelines

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-018891
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-018891
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-018891/ads-must-not-use-sensitive-data-for-targeting/
Accessed: July 12, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Apple's Ads must not use sensitive data for targeting clause do?

This prohibition directly limits how ad networks and developers can monetize app audiences by restricting use of the most sensitive personal data categories for targeting.

How does this clause affect you?

Users whose health, educational, or children's data is present in an app are protected from having that data used to target them with behavioral advertising.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 141 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Apple?

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