With its iOS 14 App Privacy labels in the App Store, Apple is giving users a new way to be empowered by having more knowledge about the apps that they use---and how those apps might be tracking them.

But it seems that it's also potentially opened up a can of worms for itself, since Apple is now being pushed to vouch for the accuracy of these labels, which developers started submitting to Apple back in December.

Concerns Over Accuracy

As noted by MacRumors, Apple has received a letter from the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, asking it to clarify information about the developer-supplied accuracy of its App Privacy labels.

These labels are an eagerly-anticipated-in-some-quarters, feared-in-others feature of iOS 14 that will force developers to be more open about how their apps interact with user data. It means that users will be able to make a more informed decision when it comes to the benefits vs. drawbacks of using certain apps.

Related: Apple's App Privacy Labels May Not Be Totally Accurate

In its letter, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce asks Apple about reports suggesting certain App Privacy labels may provide users with "misleading and false" information. That's based on a report, published last month, claiming that many apps given a clean bill of health may not be quite as innocent as they suggest.

A potential problem with the iOS 14 feature is that it relies on developer honesty to say how data is gathered, as well to confirm that this information is accurate. Apple itself notes that the information "has not been verified by Apple."

Requesting a Response From Apple

Although it seems likely that most developers will play fair and abide by the honor system, that's not something that can be taken for granted. Apple will routinely audit information it is sent. However, the enormous number of apps in the App Store makes it impossible for Apple to personally verify every single listing.

The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce letter continues that:

"We urge Apple to improve the validity of its App Privacy labels to ensure consumers are provided meaningful information about their apps' data practices and that consumers are not harmed by these potentially deceptive practices."

The committee has asked Apple to provide more detail on its audit process, whether App Privacy labels will be corrected if found to be untrue, details about what happens when developers provide inaccurate information, and more.

They are asking Apple to respond with the information requested by February 23.

Image Credit: Jason Dent/Unsplash CC