With the Spring Forward event wrapped up, the upcoming availability of the Apple Watch, and the recent unveiling of ResearchKit, has prompted Apple to make some changes to its submission guidelines for its App Stores.

Apple recently updated its App Store Guidelines page to reflect some major changes for those who are building and submitting iOS apps. A lot of the changes are geared in some way or another towards the new things that Apple has recently launched, including Apple Pay, the Apple Watch, and ResearchKit. Specifically, app developers must now get explicit consent from users when it comes to obtaining health-related data from their app geared towards human subject research. App developers must also disclose policies that relate to Apple Pay as well.

The changes geared towards the health-related consent is likely in preparation of ResearchKit’s full rollout, which has already seen plenty of adoption, while also adjusting for the incoming flux of heath and fitness apps soon to land due to the Apple Watch’s arrival. All of this means that app developers that are focusing on health data need to get consent from the user:

“27.9 Apps conducting health-related human subject research must obtain consent from participants or, in the case of minors, their parent or guardian. Such consent must include the (a) nature, purpose, and duration of the research; (b) procedures, risks, and benefits to the participant; (c) information about confidentiality and handling of data (including any sharing with third parties); (d) a point of contact for participant questions; and (e) the withdrawal process.“

As for Apple Pay disclosures, the updated guidelines specifically state that when it comes to recurring payments, the app must explicitly inform the user the length of the renewal, as well as other key pieces of information:

“at a minimum, disclose the length of the renewal term and the fact that it will continue until canceled, what will be provided during each period, the charges that will be billed to the customer, and how to cancel.“

The changes are simply adding to the laundry list that is Apple’s submission guidelines, but considering the new products that Apple is releasing, the changes are essential.