PiOS : Detecting privacy leaks in iOS applications

TLDR: To protect its users from malicious applications, Apple has introduced a vetting process, which should ensure that all applications conform to Apple’s (privacy) rules before they can be offered via the App Store, but this vetting process is not welldocumented.

Abstract: With the introduction of Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android operating systems, the sales of smartphones have exploded. These smartphones have become powerful devices that are basically miniature versions of personal computers. However, the growing popularity and sophistication of smartphones have also increased concerns about the privacy of users who operate these devices. These concerns have been exacerbated by the fact that it has become increasingly easy for users to install and execute third-party applications. To protect its users from malicious applications, Apple has introduced a vetting process. This vetting process should ensure that all applications conform to Apple’s (privacy) rules before they can be offered via the App Store. Unfortunately, this vetting process is not welldocumented, and there have been cases where malicious applications had to be removed from the App Store after