DCMS Call for Views on App Security and Privacy Interventions - Which? response

We support the Government’s plan to introduce app security and privacy interventions. We want the UK to be the safest place in the world for the design and distribution of apps. We are pleased to work closely and constructively with the Government on the delivery of this. 

However, we are committed to highlighting areas where the Government must go further to strengthen the future regulation to reduce consumer harm, whilst supporting innovative business practices within the sector.

 Our testing and research continuously exposes detriments in the apps market, including security and privacy threats, with many app developers and app stores failing to design with privacy and security by default. Whilst we are supportive of voluntary uniform standards across the supply chain as an important first step in bringing consistency and clarity on responsibilities, we remain unconvinced that this will be sufficient. The market may need firmer regulatory and even legislative options. We note that with the voluntary Secure by Design Code for connected products transitioned to mandating these in the Product Security and Telecoms Infrastructure Bill.