Apple removes apps

WASHINGTON: Apple Inc said on Thursday that it had removed ‘a few’ applications from its App Store, expressing its concern that the security of some users’ personal data could be compromised in certain circumstances.

The company said the apps threatened users’ security by installing certificates that can expose data to monitoring by third parties. The company did not specify the precise number of apps at issue. Apps with so-called root certificates route user data to servers where it can be analysed.

That opens the door for network providers to view encrypted traffic, leaving users vulnerable to data breaches.