It’s matter of security- Apple defends move to remove parental control apps

Apple explained on Monday why it removed a number of third-party apps designed to help limit screen time of kids, saying this isn't a matter of competition, but a matter of security.

"We recently removed several parental control apps from the App Store, and we did it for a simple reason: they put users' privacy and security at risk. It's important to understand why and how this happened," Apple wrote on its official blog.

The company said that several of these parental control apps were using a highly invasive technology called Mobile Device Management (MDM) that gives a third party control and access over a device and its most sensitive information including user location, app use, email accounts, camera permissions, and browsing history.

MDM does have legitimate uses. But its incredibly risky—and a clear violation of App Store policies—for a private, consumer-focused app business to install MDM control over a customer's device, it further added.

Apple said it has always supported third-party apps on the App Store that help parents manage their kids' devices. Many other apps, including Balance Screen Time, give parents the power to balance the benefits of technology with other activities that help young minds learn and grow.

"We created the App Store to provide a secure, vibrant marketplace where developers and entrepreneurs can bring their ideas to users worldwide, and users can have faith that the apps they discover meet Apple's standards of security and responsibility," the company added.