Gibraltar’s Data Protection Commissioner is among 23 privacy authorities from around the World, including Canada and Hong Kong who have signed an open letter to the operators of seven app marketplaces, including Apple, Google, Samsung and Amazon, urging them to make links to privacy policies mandatory for apps that collect personal information.

This initiative follows results of the Global Privacy Enforcement Network’s 2014 Sweep that saw global privacy authorities participate in a coordinated effort to examine privacy issues related to mobile applications. The Sweep examined 1,211 mobile apps, finding that many popular apps sought access to large amounts of personal information ‘without adequately explaining how that information would be used’.

The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority claims that providing individuals with privacy information prior to download ‘is critical’. They add, ‘it allows individuals to decide whether they are comfortable with the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information before the app is even on their device. Without this information, it’s difficult for individuals to provide meaningful consent.’