CivicPlus Mobile App Store Policies

The marketplace-branded mobile apps developed by CivicPlus for the CivicPlus Mobile software are published in the Apple and Google Play app stores. All apps published in the Apple and Google Play app stores must align with the requirements set forth by Apple and Google. Over the past few years, Google and Apple have updated their policies and requirements that impact CivicPlus’s ability to update and release apps without specific action and information from the customer organization.

A high-level view of the requirements needed by the customer is outlined here and more details are provided below. In addition, CivicPlus cannot release the latest features and bug fixes for your CivicPlus Mobile mobile app.

For CivicPlus to publish and maintain your organization’s marketplace (branded) app, you must complete the following items on behalf of your organization.

Important Notes

• Each organization needs to complete the Google and Apple requirements outlined in this article.
• This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. We recommend that for any legal clarity, each organization works with your legal department.

Google Android Requirements

1. Fill out and sign the Mobile Authorization Letter (DOC) on your organization’s letterhead.
2. Provide a URL link to your organization’s Privacy Policy. The policy must include:
   • A special mobile section
   • The name of your mobile app
   • Reference to CivicPlus Mobile and CivicPlus as developers
3. Send the Privacy Policy and Mobile Authorization Letter items to CivicPlus Support.

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Apple Requirements

These actions must be completed by the Account Holder on the Apple Developer account.

Acceptance of Terms and Annual Renewal

1. Log in to your Apple Developer Account and accept their new terms.
2. Confirm your membership is active. If your membership expires, the app is removed from stores until renewed.

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Google Authorization Letter

Google recently announced a new requirement for third-party developers to provide documentation that the developer is authorized to publish a mobile app on a government organization’s behalf. According to Google Play, this change is to help “ensure that if your app communicates government information, it does so transparently and empowers users with reliable and clearly sourced civic information.”

To accommodate this requirement, CivicPlus asks that all customer organizations with a marketplace CP Mobile mobile app provide us with an authorization letter to share with Google.

We have provided a sample authorization letter (DOC). Please copy it onto your organization’s letterhead, complete all information, and have the letter signed by an authorized representative from your administration. Then send the signed letter to CivicPlus Support.

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Google Play Privacy Policy Requirements

Under the Google User Data policy, each mobile app must link to a privacy policy on the app's store listing page and within the app. Apps that do not access any personal and sensitive user data must still submit a privacy policy. Please review the following compliance checklist for privacy policies.

The privacy policy must:

• Be linked on your app’s store listing page in Play Console and within the app itself
• Hold reference to the entity (for example, CivicPlus Mobile and CivicPlus) named in the app’s Google Play listing or the app
• Include clear labeling as a privacy policy
• Be readable in a standard browser without any plug-ins or special handlers (no PDFs)
• Be available on an active, publicly accessible, and non-geofenced URL
• Be non-editable
• Comprehensively disclose how your app accesses, collects, uses, and shares user data. This must include:
  
  • Disclosing the types of personal and sensitive user data your app accesses, collects, uses, and shares; and any parties with which any personal or sensitive user data is shared
  • Secure data handling procedures for personal and sensitive user data
  • Developer’s data retention and deletion policy

Here is a sample statement of what could be included in an organization’s privacy policy:

<Organization Name> is using CivicPlus Mobile powered by CivicPlus, an online and mobile service request system, to power its mobile app and reporting forms. The <APP NAME> is an application that allows residents to report non-emergency-related issues. CivicPlus Mobile can be used via the web on a desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, or tablet. CivicPlus Mobile is a public application. The description entered will be visible to the public. Your display name will also be visible unless you choose to submit as Anonymous. Your email address will never be displayed publicly. Users registering on the mobile application also agree to CivicPlus’ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

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Apple Developer Agreement and Program

While Google requires the authorization letter, Apple requires all organizations to enroll and maintain their own Apple Developer account to publish apps. CivicPlus Mobile cannot publish using our Apple Developer account but instead must be invited as a user with appropriate roles on the organization’s Apple Developer account. Please refer to the Help Center for details on how to set up an Apple Developer account.

The Apple Developer Program requires the Account Holder to renew the program each year. If the account expires, then the app is removed from the store until appropriately re-instated.

In addition, Apple updates the Apple Developer Program License Agreement about twice a year. Each time the Agreement is updated the Account Holder for the organization’s Apple account must accept the new Agreement. If this is not accepted, then CivicPlus is blocked from building and releasing any updates to your organization’s marketplace app powered by CivicPlus Mobile.

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