Flurry VP Responds to Question About Apple's SDK TOS Change & Privacy Issues Comments

MacRumors reported:

Flurry Blamed for Change in iPhone SDK Analytics Terms of Service

Flurry provides free mobile analytics tools for mobile developers (iPhone, Android, BlackBerry). MacRumors reports that Apple changed the iPhone SDK terms of service (TOS) because they concluded that Flurry’s analytics tools were providing too much information (to the point that they detected the iPad and its characteristics before its actual announcement). This, Apple says, is a potential privacy problem.

I contacted Peter Farago, Flurry VP Marketing, point to the MacRumors article and asked for a comment. His response is reproduced (with permission) below:

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Prior to today, we were already aware of these concerns and have been taking steps to address them in coordination with some of our key customers, now totaling 30,000. We have also been in communication with Apple.

1. On the issue of consumer privacy, Flurry feels as strongly about this topic as Apple does. For several months, even prior to Apple releasing its PLA for OS 4.0, Flurry has been proactively working on an initiative, along with its largest customers, that leads the mobile industry in protecting consumer privacy. We announced our Privacy First Initiative a few weeks ago.

Privacy Initiative Announcement: http://www.flurry.com/about-us/press/Flurry_PrivacyFirstInitiative_051310.pdf

Privacy Initiative FAQs: http://www.flurry.com/about-us/press/Flurry_PFI_FAQ_051310.pdf

2. On the issue of device data, we are updating our analytics service to comply with section 3.3.9 of the Apple 4.0 PLA. We will not collect device data. All in all, the changes required to be in compliance will have little impact on the usefulness we provide to developers about how to improve their applications, and how to continue to increase consumer satisfaction.

Finally, regarding sharing some specific aggregated usage statistics, to which Apple is opposed, we will comply with their wishes. Our goal continues to be to add value to the developer ecosystem and be a strong partner to platform providers.

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It sounds to me like Flurry’s response is a reasonable one that adapts to the SDK TOS change rather than fight it.

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