Key stakeholders in the mobile apps industry need to agree on “baseline standards” to ensure customers can know their privacy is being protected, Pat Walshe (pictured), director of Privacy at the GSMA, told Mobile Apps Briefing. “When users feel their privacy is respected and protected, they are most likely to engage with an app.  We need to help app developers understand why privacy matters and the basics of what needs to be done,” Walshe said.

The GSMA is seeking developer input into its privacy guidelines, with the intention “to ensure privacy is considered from the outset and designed in, to help improve the privacy experiences of mobile consumers across the world.” Walshe notes: “We see our role as facilitating dialogue and working with key stakeholders in the interests of establishing best practice and strengthening the confidence and trust of consumers. If app privacy concerns continue to increase then confidence and trust will decrease and do little to drive the app economy and the innovation that provides such rich and wonderful experiences we currently enjoy.”

Mobile Apps Briefing’s full interview with Pat Walshe can be found here.