Fix Apple Rejection: App Store Guideline 5.1.1 Privacy Issues
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Apple Rejection Fix: Guideline 5.1.1 – Privacy Policy & Data Disclosure Missing

Written by: ShopApper Team
04.06.2025 - 4 mins read

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If your app has been rejected by Apple under App Store Guideline 5.1.1, you’re not alone. This guideline focuses on user data collection and privacy practices, and it’s one of the most commonly overlooked areas during the submission process.
In this guide, we’ll explain what this rejection means, how to avoid it, and how ShopApper helps you get compliant — fast.

🧠 What Guideline 5.1.1 Means

Apple’s Guideline 5.1.1 is all about user data transparency. If your app collects any type of data — whether it’s for login, analytics, marketing, or third-party tools — Apple expects you to:
  • Clearly explain what data is collected
  • Disclose how and why it’s used
  • Be transparent about third-party SDKs
  • Have a public privacy policy that users can access at any time
Failure to do this — even by mistake — can result in rejection.

🚨 Why Apple Rejects Apps Under Guideline 5.1.1

Here are the most common reasons apps get rejected under this rule:
  • ❌ No privacy policy URL added in App Store Connect
  • ❌ Privacy policy exists but doesn’t mention data collection practices
  • ❌ Missing or vague answers in the App Privacy questionnaire
  • ❌ Undisclosed use of third-party SDKs (like Google Analytics, Facebook SDK, Firebase, etc.)
  • ❌ Inconsistency between in-app behavior and what’s disclosed
🔍 Apple reviewers do scan your app and check for undeclared data usage — including SDKs bundled in frameworks or plugins.

🔍 Apple’s Privacy Expectations: What You MUST Do

Here’s what Apple expects before your app goes live:
Requirement
Details
✅ Privacy Policy URL
Publicly accessible, mobile-friendly, and honest
✅ App Privacy Section in App Store Connect
Answered truthfully with all data points covered
✅ In-App Disclosure
Link to privacy policy within app (usually in settings or about menu)
✅ Transparency on SDKs
Each third-party service listed, described, and disclosed
✅ No Conflicts
Privacy policy content must match your declarations in App Store

🛠 How to Fix a 5.1.1 Rejection (Step-by-Step)

✅ Step 1: Write or Update Your Privacy Policy

Your privacy policy should include:
  • What data you collect (e.g., email, location, payment info)
  • Why you collect it (e.g., account access, analytics, notifications)
  • How the data is stored and protected
  • Whether it’s shared with third parties (and who they are)
Free tools to generate one:

💡 Pro Tip: Even if you don’t collect personal data, you must still say so in your privacy policy.

✅ Step 2: Complete the App Privacy Questionnaire in App Store Connect

This section is not optional. Follow these steps:
  1. Log in to App Store Connect
  2. Go to your app > App Privacy
  3. Answer all questions accurately
  4. Include all third-party SDKs (Shopify, Firebase, Stripe, etc.)
  5. Be clear about how data is used — tracking, analytics, crash reporting, etc.

✅ Step 3: Link the Privacy Policy in Your App

Make sure your privacy policy is:
  • Easily accessible in the app’s menu
  • Linked under “App Info” or “About” section
  • Consistent with what you submitted in App Store Connect
📌 Tip: Apple often checks if the in-app privacy policy is clickable and leads to a real webpage — don’t use placeholders.

🔧 Using Third-Party SDKs? You Must Disclose Them

If your app uses:
  • Analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Firebase)
  • Ad networks (e.g., Facebook, AdMob)
  • Crash reporting (e.g., Sentry, Bugsnag)
  • Payment providers (e.g., Stripe, PayPal)
You must declare:
  • What user data is collected
  • Whether it’s linked to users
  • If it’s used for tracking across apps
⚠️ Don’t assume Apple won’t detect these tools — their review process includes deep scanning of SDKs and network calls.

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❌ What NOT to Do

  • Don’t leave privacy sections blank
  • Don’t use a generic privacy policy unrelated to your app
  • Don’t hide or obscure data usage
  • Don’t assume “small” data (like device type or IP) doesn’t count
Apple wants transparency. Lack of clarity is often worse than collecting data itself.

✅ How ShopApper Helps You Pass 5.1.1

At ShopApper, we help you build compliant, App Store-ready apps from your existing website — and we make sure privacy is handled correctly every time.
We provide:
  • ✅ A privacy policy template tailored to your app
  • ✅ Integration guidance for data-safe tools
  • ✅ Accurate App Store Connect configurations
  • ✅ In-app links to your privacy policy
  • ✅ Review assistance if you’ve already been rejected
🛡️ We’ve helped dozens of apps get approved after privacy rejections — and yours can be next.

🧩 Bonus: How Privacy Impacts Your App Ranking

Beyond compliance, good privacy practices also:
  • Increase user trust
  • Improve App Store search visibility
  • Reduce risk of takedown after launch
  • Protect your app from future iOS policy updates

📲 Got Rejected by Apple? Let’s Fix It.

📲 Need Help With a Privacy Policy Rejection?

Whether you’re building your first app or resubmitting after a rejection, ShopApper helps you navigate Apple’s privacy rules without writing a single line of code.

👉 Fix My Rejection with ShopApper

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