NSUserTrackingUsageDescription Problem

yooni126

Hi Guys, I have a question about the app that I recently developed.
I submitted it to the Apple store and they rejected to approve it. They said you are collecting advertising data but I removed all the elements, codes, ANEs , ... that were related to advertising data.
They say you have NSUserTrackingUsageDescription on your app but I remove this tag!

 <iPhone>
    <InfoAdditions><![CDATA[
<key>UIPrerenderedIcon</key>
<true/>
<key>UIDeviceFamily</key>
<array>
  <string>1</string>
  <string>2</string>
</array>
<key>MinimumOSVersion</key>
<string>10.0</string>
]]></InfoAdditions>
 <Entitlements><![CDATA[
<key>application-identifier</key>
<string>DG78DDS479.com.deafaw.deafanimationworld</string>
<key>keychain-access-groups</key>
<array>
  <string>DG78DDS479.*</string>
</array>
<key>get-task-allow</key>
<false/>
<key>aps-environment</key>
<string>production</string>
]]></Entitlements>
    <requestedDisplayResolution>high</requestedDisplayResolution>
  </iPhone>
  <customUpdateUI>false</customUpdateUI>
  <allowBrowserInvocation>false</allowBrowserInvocation>
  <extensions>
    <extensionID>com.distriqt.MediaPlayer</extensionID>
    <extensionID>com.distriqt.Core</extensionID>
    <extensionID>androidx.core</extensionID>
    <extensionID>androidx.appcompat</extensionID>
    <extensionID>androidx.vectordrawable</extensionID>
    <extensionID>com.google.guava</extensionID>
     <extensionID>com.distriqt.NetworkInfo</extensionID>
     <extensionID>com.distriqt.InAppBilling</extensionID>
  </extensions>
</application>

Would you please help me with that?

Shaun_Max

Whats the rejection reason?

If I understood them correctly, if you have mentioned anything in the apple developer page regarding user tracking then you need to show the popup to the user, where they can allow/disable tracking!

ma

Check your answers to the privacy questionnaire, if you answer yes to collecting data there they will require you add this description and dialog to your app.

yooni126

ma Hi thanks for your kind reply. In the privacy questionnaire when I respond “no” to the question: if you collect data from the user, I receive an error message that: you have NSUserTrackingDescription.
I don’t have any value like this, I removed all the value for collecting data. I don’t know why do they say this? Below is my info.plist.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
    <dict>
        <key>CFBundleAllowMixedLocalizations</key>
        <true/>
        <key>CFBundleVersion</key>
        <string>1.2.4</string>
        <key>CFBundleShortVersionString</key>
        <string>1.2.4</string>
        <key>CFBundleIdentifier</key>
        <string>com.deafaw.deafanimationworld</string>
        <key>CFBundleInfoDictionaryVersion</key>
        <string>6.0</string>
        <key>CFBundleExecutable</key>
        <string>Deaf Animation World</string>
        <key>CFBundleName</key>
        <string>Deaf Animation World</string>
        <key>CFBundlePackageType</key>
        <string>APPL</string>
        <key>DTCompiler</key>
        <string>com.apple.compilers.llvm.clang.1_0</string>
        <key>DTPlatformBuild</key>
        <string>19A339</string>
        <key>DTSDKBuild</key>
        <string>19A339</string>
        <key>DTPlatformName</key>
        <string>iphoneos</string>
        <key>DTSDKName</key>
        <string>iphoneos15.0</string>
        <key>DTPlatformVersion</key>
        <string>15.0</string>
        <key>DTXcode</key>
        <string>1300</string>
        <key>DTXcodeBuild</key>
        <string>13A233</string>
        <key>LSRequiresIPhoneOS</key>
        <true/>
        <key>MinimumOSVersion</key>
        <string>10.0</string>
        <key>NSMainNibFile</key>
        <string>MainWindow</string>
        <key>NSMainNibFile~ipad</key>
        <string>MainWindow-iPad</string>
        <key>NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription</key>
        <string>Required by Apple</string>
        <key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
        <string>Required by Apple</string>
        <key>NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription</key>
        <string>Required by Apple</string>
        <key>NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
        <string>Required by Apple</string>
        <key>CFBundleDisplayName</key>
        <string>Deaf Animation World</string>
        <key>UIStatusBarHidden</key>
        <true/>
        <key>UIViewControllerBasedStatusBarAppearance</key>
        <false/>
        <key>CTAspectRatio</key>
        <string>landscape</string>
        <key>UIInterfaceOrientation</key>
        <string>UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeRight</string>
        <key>renderMode</key>
        <string>gpu</string>
        <key>CTRequestedDisplayResolution</key>
        <string>high</string>
        <key>DebugMode</key>
        <false/>
        <key>EnablePingback</key>
        <false/>
        <key>CTNamespaceURI</key>
        <string>http://ns.adobe.com/air/application/33.1</string>
        <key>CTAutoOrients</key>
        <false/>
        <key>CTInitialWindowTitle</key>
        <string>Deaf Animation World</string>
        <key>CTInitialWindowContent</key>
        <string>Deafaw.swf</string>
        <key>CTMaxSWFMajorVersion</key>
        <string>44</string>
        <key>CFBundleSupportedPlatforms</key>
        <array>
            <string>iPhoneOS</string>
        </array>
        <key>UIPrerenderedIcon</key>
        <true/>
        <key>UILaunchStoryboardName</key>
        <string>LaunchScreen</string>
        <key>UILaunchImages</key>
        <array>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Portrait</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{320, 480}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-568h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Portrait</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{320, 568}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-375w-667h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Portrait</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{375, 667}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-Landscape-375w-667h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Landscape</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{375, 667}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-414w-736h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Portrait</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{414, 736}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-Landscape-414w-736h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Landscape</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{414, 736}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-812h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Portrait</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{375, 812}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-Landscape-812h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Landscape</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{375, 812}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-896h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Portrait</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{414, 896}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-Landscape-896h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Landscape</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{414, 896}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-414w-896h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Portrait</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{414, 896}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-Landscape-414w-896h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Landscape</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{414, 896}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-Portrait</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Portrait</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{768, 1024}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-Landscape</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Landscape</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{768, 1024}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-Portrait-1194h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Portrait</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{834, 1194}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-Landscape-1194h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Landscape</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{834, 1194}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-Portrait-1194h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Portrait</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{834, 1194}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>Default-Landscape-1194h</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Landscape</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{834, 1194}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>IpadPro12inchPortrait</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Portrait</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{1024, 1366}</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>UILaunchImageMinimumOSVersion</key>
                <string>8.0</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageName</key>
                <string>IpadPro12inchLandscape</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageOrientation</key>
                <string>Landscape</string>
                <key>UILaunchImageSize</key>
                <string>{1024, 1366}</string>
            </dict>
        </array>
        <key>UIDeviceFamily</key>
        <array>
            <integer>1</integer>
            <integer>2</integer>
        </array>
        <key>UIRequiredDeviceCapabilities</key>
        <array>
            <string>arm64</string>
            <string>opengles-2</string>
        </array>
        <key>CFBundleIcons</key>
        <dict>
            <key>CFBundlePrimaryIcon</key>
            <dict>
                <key>CFBundleIconFiles</key>
                <array>
                    <string>Icon-Iphone-180.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-Ipad-152.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-167.png</string>
                    <string>Icon@2x-Large.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-Iphone-120.png</string>
                    <string>Icon@2x.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-Small-50@2x.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-Iphone-87.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-Small-80.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-Ipad-76.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-Iphone-75.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-Large.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-Iphone-60.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-Small@2x.png</string>
                    <string>Icon.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-Small-50.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-Small-50.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-Small-40.png</string>
                    <string>Icon-Small.png</string>
                </array>
                <key>CFBundleIconName</key>
                <string>AppIcon</string>
            </dict>
        </dict>
        <key>UISupportedInterfaceOrientations</key>
        <array>
            <string>UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeRight</string>
            <string>UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeLeft</string>
        </array>
        <key>Extensions</key>
        <array>
            <string>androidx.core</string>
            <string>com.distriqt.Core</string>
            <string>com.distriqt.MediaPlayer</string>
            <string>com.distriqt.InAppBilling</string>
            <string>androidx.vectordrawable</string>
            <string>com.google.guava</string>
            <string>com.distriqt.NetworkInfo</string>
            <string>androidx.appcompat</string>
        </array>
        <key>CTAirSdkVersion</key>
        <string>33.1.1.821</string>
        <key>CTHideAneSymbols</key>
        <false/>
        <key>CTPushNotificationEnabled</key>
        <true/>
        <key>UIRequiresFullScreen</key>
        <true/>
    </dict>
</plist>

Thank you for your kind help

Shaun_Max

yooni126 just check this and see if it brings any help

https://github.com/orgs/distriqt/teams/ane-adverts/discussions/2?from_comment=48#discussion-2-comment-48

yooni126

Shaun_Max Thank you Shaun, But I don't have the advert license, I appreciate if you could send me their solution

ma

Have you uploaded a new build to appstoreconnect, it's potentially likely that one of the versions you have their (your live one perhaps) has this flag in it?

yooni126

ma yes of course, as you see in my screenShot only 1.1.9 version (live) has this flag, but new version like 1.2.4 doesn't have this flag

Shaun_Max

yooni126 Do you have IDFA ane in your app ?

yooni126

Shaun_Max No, only Ane's I have : MediaPlayer,inAppBilling,NetworkInfo and their dependencies

Shaun_Max

yooni126 i think then thats the problem, you need to include that ane no matter what.
I dont know the reason & i also had this doubt but i guess thats how it works.

ma

Shaun_Max That is incorrect, you only need to include the IDFA ANE if you want access to the IDFA and hence need to declare the tracking usage description and display the ATT dialog. If you don't want to track your users, do not include the IDFA ANE.

ma

Shaun_Max i think then thats the problem, you need to include that ane no matter what.
I dont know the reason & i also had this doubt but i guess thats how it works.

That is incorrect, you only need to include the IDFA ANE if you want access to the IDFA and hence need to declare the tracking usage description and display the ATT dialog. If you don't want to track your users, do not include the IDFA ANE.

mistergreen

Probably networkinfo is triggering the tracking api.

yooni126

@ma what is your opinion? if I add IDFA Ane or remove networkInfo Ane ,will my problem be solved?

mistergreen

It's easier if you just define NSUserTrackingUsageDescription = "Get network info". Or remove networkInfo if you don't need it.

IDFA is the advertising ID.

ma

Hi,

There is absolutely no correlation between NetworkInfo and the tracking usage description! These two are completely unrelated.

Adding the IDFA ANE is only useful if you want to track users and get access to the IDFA. Adding this will not resolve your issue unless you want to go down the route of displaying the ATT dialog.

If you are certain the NSUserTrackingDescription isn't in your app (which appears to be the case) and you want to remove it from an existing version, I'm not exactly sure on the process here. I would suggest you upload a version without it to test flight and then ask the apple team to validate that version explaining you want to remove tracking.

Shaun_Max

ma I might be wrong, but thats how it worked for me. Even keeping IDFA, disabled in the app by default didn't work for us. The apple testers forced us to display the popup at the app load.

ma

Shaun_Max This should only happen if you are using an ANE that links the AdSupport framework. None of the ones listed above should do that. If you have linked against the AdSupport framework then Apple will insist upon having the usage string and ATT dialog displayed. What ANE's where you using in your app?

Shaun_Max

ma that I need to check again but I can confirm that I was using in-app, firebase & onesignal. If I remember it correctly the app was not displaying any ads but I will check that & confirm.