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I don't agree with the title at all. Detecting the auth level of access to photos is documented (PHAuthorizationStatus). Google photos is simply refusing to le

by megraf 6y ago

I don't agree with the title at all. Detecting the auth level of access to photos is documented (PHAuthorizationStatus). Google photos is simply refusing to let you use their app all unless you grant them access to view all of your photos. I'm all for privacy -far beyond the average person- but this seems like one of those cases of uninstall it and move on if you don't agree with the product decision. Fwiw: Not a fan of google. Currently on iCloud + Flickr for non-sensitive photos

tony101 6y ago
Apple App Store Review Guidelines, Section 5.1.1: "(iv) Access: Apps must respect the user’s permission settings and not attempt to manipulate, trick, or force people to consent to unnecessary data access. For example, apps that include the ability to post photos to a social network must not also require microphone access before allowing the user to upload photos. Where possible, provide alternative solutions for users who don’t grant consent. For example, if a user declines to share Location, offer the ability to manually enter an address." https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#privacy https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#pri...
floatingatoll 6y ago
It's a clear violation of Apple's app store guidelines for them to deny access to the app if the app could reasonably function in the scenario where the user has only granted partial photos access. Unfortunately, as end users of a free app, we have no way to report this probable violation to Apple through customer support means. Hopefully the press around this will attract the attention of App Store leadership.
saagarjha 6y ago
> Detecting the auth level of access to photos is documented (PHAuthorizationStatus). This is not the problem. The problem is that they use that to do > Google photos is simply refusing to let you use their app all unless you grant them access to view all of your photos. This is not an appropriate use of the API.
TheChaplain 6y ago
I believe I read somewhere that your app can be booted from the app store if you require permissions that are not needed for core functionality. E.g. a navigation app is useless without GPS permission and is okay, but a Maps app do not specifically require GPS permission as it can be used to view maps. So to me, it seems Google is requiring permissions that are not strictly necessary for using the app.

by megraf 6y ago

tony101 6y ago

Apple App Store Review Guidelines, Section 5.1.1: "(iv) Access: Apps must respect the user’s permission settings and not attempt to manipulate, trick, or force people to consent to unnecessary data access. For example, apps that include the ability to post photos to a social network must not also require microphone access before allowing the user to upload photos. Where possible, provide alternative solutions for users who don’t grant consent. For example, if a user declines to share Location, offer the ability to manually enter an address." https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#privacy https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#pri...

floatingatoll 6y ago

It's a clear violation of Apple's app store guidelines for them to deny access to the app if the app could reasonably function in the scenario where the user has only granted partial photos access. Unfortunately, as end users of a free app, we have no way to report this probable violation to Apple through customer support means. Hopefully the press around this will attract the attention of App Store leadership.

saagarjha 6y ago

> Detecting the auth level of access to photos is documented (PHAuthorizationStatus). This is not the problem. The problem is that they use that to do > Google photos is simply refusing to let you use their app all unless you grant them access to view all of your photos. This is not an appropriate use of the API.

TheChaplain 6y ago

I believe I read somewhere that your app can be booted from the app store if you require permissions that are not needed for core functionality. E.g. a navigation app is useless without GPS permission and is okay, but a Maps app do not specifically require GPS permission as it can be used to view maps. So to me, it seems Google is requiring permissions that are not strictly necessary for using the app.