Google also bends Apple's rules to 'research' user browsing habits

Facebook isn't the only company side-stepping Apple's developer policies in order to conduct paid "research" on people's browsing habits.

Now, TechCrunch reports that Google has also been conducting paid research on people's internet habits through a VPN app called "Screenwise," which also appears to circumvent Apple's developer policies.

The story comes just one day after the publication reported on a shady program called Facebook Research, which used a rebranded version of the social network's banned VPN app to study users' internet habits. The report resulted in Apple revoking Facebook's Enterprise Certificate, effectively bricking all of the company's internal apps.

According to a Google support page for Screenwise, the app "collects information on your Internet usage, from how long you visit a site to the apps you choose." The app is aimed at adults over the age of 18, though children as young as 13 can participate if they live in the same household as a participating adult and receive parental consent, according to Google. Participants earn gift cards for their involvement.

Here's Google's description of how the app works:

When you use devices with the meter installed, data will be shared securely with Google. This includes, for example, the sites you visit, the apps you use, the television shows that play on your television, information about how you use them, device IP address, and cookies.

From the information gathered through the Screenwise Meters, we learn what times of day you browse the internet or watch TV, how long you stay on websites/apps, what types of websites, apps, and TV programs are popular (or not), and how you interact with media when there is more than one screen vying for your attention.

Importantly, there are a few differences between Google's Screenwise app and Facebook's "Research" app. Unlike Facebook, which shielded its involvement by using third-party testing companies, Google is more explicit about who is conducting the research. The Screenwise support pages carry prominent Google branding, and there are detailed privacy disclosures. The company also offers a "guest mode" for when they don't want to be tracked.

Even so, the program appears to be in violation of Apple's developer rules, which state that Enterprise Certificates -- the process which allows companies to distribute apps outside of Apple's App Store -- are meant only to be used among employees, not members of the public.

Mashable has reached out to both Apple and Google for comment on the situation, and we'll update this story if and when we hear back.

UPDATE:Jan.30, 2019, 1:45 p.m. PT:A Google spokesperson sent the following statement.

The Screenwise Meter iOS app should not have operated under Apple’s developer enterprise program — this was a mistake, and we apologize. We have disabled this app on iOS devices. This app is completely voluntary and always has been. We’ve been upfront with users about the way we use their data in this app, we have no access to encrypted data in apps and on devices, and users can opt out of the program at any time.