New voluntary app code of practice to boost user safety launched

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A new voluntary code of practice for app store operators and developers will ask them to boost security and privacy to better protect users, the Government has said. Consumers should be able to trust that their money and data is in safe hands when using apps and these measures will not only boost our digital economy but also protect people from fraud Cyber minister Julia Lopez The Government said it was also exploring what current laws could be extended to cover apps and app stores, and whether regulation would be needed in order to mandate the code in the future. “Consumers should be able to trust that their money and data is in safe hands when using apps and these measures will not only boost our digital economy but also protect people from fraud. Today we are taking steps to get app stores and developers to keep customers even safer in the online world.” Paul Maddinson, director of national resilience and strategy at the National Cyber Security Centre, said: “Our devices and the apps we rely on are increasingly essential to everyday life, and it’s important that developers and store operators take steps to protect users.