The Next Web reports that the US Congress has begun requesting information from developers about how they comply with Apple’s app privacy policies, how they gather information from developers, and what they do with it afterwards.

The action is likely to be related to an increased focus on app privacy following the discovery that a number of apps were accessing contact information without explicit consent, initially sparked by Path but then extended to include a number of household names.

Apparently, the letter was sent to 34 iOS developers, including Twitter, Instagram, Path, Facebook, SoundCloud and Apple itself, and relates to titles found in the social networking category of the App Store.

Based on the document sent to Tweetbot, information requested includes the number of times an app was downloaded, details with regard to privacy policies, and whether address book details were transmitted.

The deadline for submissions is 12 April 2012.

Earlier this month, it was reported that a number of US users had launched a class action lawsuit alleging privacy infringements by several of the same apps under the spotlight by the US authorities.