Apple on Thursday removed some ad blocker apps – as well as others – from the iOS App Store for installing root certificates that would allow developers to view encrypted traffic from their users.
In a statement to iMore Apple said it is working with developers to return the apps to the App Store.
Apple is deeply committed to protecting customer privacy and security. We’ve removed a few apps from the App Store that install root certificates which enable the monitoring of customer network data that can in turn be used to compromise SSL/TLS security solutions. We are working closely with these developers to quickly get their apps back on the App Store, while ensuring customer privacy and security is not at risk.
The ad blockers removed from the App Store work differently than the content blockers enabled with the release of iOS. The removed blockers install a root certificate to view customer data passing through them. The blockers are set up to allow a user’s traffic to pass through the developer’s servers in order to perform the content blocking.
One of the apps removed, Been Choice, says it will resubmit its app with the necessary changes.
