Apple has introduced updated App Review Guidelines that now explicitly require developers to disclose and obtain user consent before sharing personal data with third-party artificial intelligence systems. The change marks a significant step in Apple’s ongoing efforts to strengthen user privacy, particularly as the company prepares to launch a major AI-enhanced version of Siri in 2026. The new guidelines clarify that apps must clearly inform users when personal data is being shared with third parties—including third-party AI providers—and must secure explicit permission before doing so. This update expands upon existing rules, particularly Rule 5.1.2(i), which previously prohibited apps from using, transmitting, or sharing personal data without user consent. That rule was already aligned with global privacy regulations such as the EU’s GDPR and California’s Consumer Privacy Act, which give users greater control over their data. What sets this revision apart is Apple’s direct mention of AI companies as entities that must comply with these requirements. By naming third-party AI specifically, Apple is signaling that AI-driven data processing is now a priority area for oversight. This could affect a wide range of apps that use AI for personalization, recommendation engines, or other features that rely on user data. The implications are broad, as the term “AI” encompasses not only large language models but also various forms of machine learning and data analytics. While Apple has not yet specified how strictly it will enforce the rule, the inclusion of AI in the policy suggests a heightened scrutiny of how apps handle sensitive information when leveraging AI technologies. The update is part of a broader set of changes to Apple’s App Review Guidelines announced on Thursday. Other revisions support the launch of Apple’s new Mini Apps Program, which aims to bring lightweight, web-based apps directly into the iOS ecosystem. Additional updates cover creator-focused apps, lending apps, and other categories, including the addition of crypto exchanges to the list of apps operating in highly regulated sectors. With Siri’s upcoming AI overhaul expected to integrate capabilities powered by external technologies—including reports indicating Google’s Gemini model—Apple’s new guidelines underscore its dual strategy: advancing its own AI ambitions while maintaining strict controls over how user data is handled across the App Store ecosystem.