Face ID data on iPhone X "never leaves the device," according to Apple. But under certain conditions, app developers will have access to that facial data, which can be "removed from the phone and stored on a developer's own servers," Reuters reports.
Developers will need to request permission from the iPhone X ($999.00 at Verizon) user to access Face ID data, which they can use to build entertainment features for their apps. Imagine an app that can overlay a 3D mask on top of your face, or a video game character that can mimic your facial movements.
Devs will have access to about 50 kinds of facial expressions, but not enough to unlock an iPhone X. App developers are banned from selling any of the information to third parties, according to Reuters, which saw a contract provided by Apple.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In a Face ID security document released in September, Apple said "third-party apps can use system-provided APIs to ask the user to authenticate using Face ID or a passcode, and apps that support Touch ID automatically support Face ID without any changes.
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"When using Face ID, the app is notified only as to whether the authentication was successful; it can't access Face ID or the data associated with the enrolled face," the document says.
"Apps can't access Face ID data associated with the enrolled face," according to a separate Apple support page detailing the technology.
iPhone X Camera Features
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