Apple has announced that all apps in its App Store must turn on App Transport Security by the last day of 2016. App Transport Security forces apps to connect to the internet over an HTTPS connection, as opposed to an HTTP connection. HTTPS connections are more secure as they encrypt data, giving users a level of privacy and security that HTTP connections do not offer. App Transport Security requires TLS version 1.2, with exceptions turned on for bulk data that is already encrypted. From the 1st of January 2017, all new apps must use App Transport Security in order to be approved, and all existing apps must turn it on by that date or they will presumably be deleted.Â
