You may have just received an email from Apple indicating that you can’t publish your app yet due to a NSUserTrackingUsageDescription issue, or my may be about to publish your app for the first time. This article answers two questions which naturally arise in relation to the User Tracking Usage Description (UTUD) property which is required by Apple for Publishing;
If your app contains AdMob, Location Sensor, Push Notifications, or Web Viewer components then you are required to have a UTUD. Please note: you do not need to include a permission string if your app contains a Web Viewer that only accesses a local HTML file.
How can I set a User Tracking Usage Description string in my Thunkable Project?
There are two places where you can set your Tracking Usage Description:
Project Settings
This can be set in your project settings, under the iOS heading:
Publishing Wizard
You can also set this permission string during the iOS publishing process:
What should I say in my Tracking Usage Description?
If your app does not contain AdMob, Location Sensor, Push Notifications, or a Web Viewer then you should leave the Tracking Usage Description field blank. Do not enter a string explaining that you are not tracking anything. If there is any text in this box Apple will think you are tracking your end users.
The requirements for a UTUD vary depending on what components your project uses. If your app contains AdMob, Location Sensor, Push Notifications, or a Web Viewer then you will be required to inform your user why the app is requesting permission for user or device tracking.
AdMob
AdMob can use your end users' location to show them relevant ads. Your end users need to consent to their location being used to show them relevant ads.
Example: This identifier will be used to deliver personalized ads to you.
Push Notifications
OneSignal has the option of collecting user data. You must include this information in your Tracking Usage Description.
Example: In-app activity is tracked to deliver relevant messaging at relevant times for the user
Web Viewer
Most websites collect some kind of user data. Your end users need to consent to this data being tracked. Note: you do not need to include a permission string if your Web Viewer only accesses a local HTML file.
Example: This app accesses X website. Your data may be shared with this website to facilitate functionality.
Location Sensor*
Your end user’s location is sensitive data. If you include a Location Sensor and transmit the users location to an external service for any purpose, you must tell your end user exactly why you need to track their location.
Example: This app uses your location to show you information relevant to your area.
Open Link Blocks
Most websites collect some kind of user data. Your end users need to consent to this data being tracked. It is your responsibility to identify and account for any data being tracked.
Example: This app opens links in browsers that in turn ask for location information or mic access to provide a better end user experience.