Apple shuts down Google’s internal apps over Enterprise Certificate abuse [updated]

Apple has shut down Google’s internal apps over its abuse of the Enterprise Certificate program, reports The Verge. Citing sources familiar with the situation, the outlet says that beta versions of Google Maps, Hangouts and Gmail, as well as employee-only apps, have stopped working.

Update: At 7pm PT, Apple has restored Google’s Enterprise Certificate.

You may recall that Apple pulled a similar move on Facebook yesterday, disabling its Enterprise Certificate after reports surfaced that it was using the program nefariously. The social network was found to be paying users up to $20 per month to analyze their phone activity and harvest their data.

Here’s what Apple said about the Facebook issue:

“We designed our Enterprise Developer Program solely for the internal distribution of apps within an organization. Facebook has been using their membership to distribute a data-collecting app to consumers, which is a clear breach of their agreement with Apple. Any developer using their enterprise certificates to distribute apps to consumers will have their certificates revoked, which is what we did in this case to protect our users and their data.”

And it’s clearly staying true to its word. Like Facebook, Google was found to be using its Enterprise Certificate to distribute an app to consumers called “Screenwise Meter.” The app was designed to collect data on a user’s internet behavior—things like apps downloaded and time spent on websites.

In statements to TechCrunch, spokespeople for both Apple and Google said that the two companies were working together to resolve the issue. So this sounds like a temporary thing, but we expect to see more high-profile EC shutdowns, as Apple continues to fight for total control of its platform.

Source: The Verge