Apple removes Facebook's Onavo VPN app from the App Store

Apple has removed Facebook's Onavo VPN app from the App Store since it did not comply with its privacy rules.

"With the latest update to our guidelines, we made it explicitly clear that apps should not collect information about which other apps are installed on a user's device for the purposes of analytics or advertising/marketing and must make it clear what user data will be collected and how it will be used" an Apple spokesperson told CNBC.

The free application, which Facebook acquired in 2013, creates an encrypted VPN connection that routes internet activity through computer servers managed and secured by Facebook. The app also alerts users when sites they visit might be malicious.

Through this, Facebook was able to gather information about how people use smartphones outside of its own services, potentially gleaning insights about rivals or internet trends.

According to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the move, Apple told Facebook last week that the app was violating Apple's data collection rules and suggested the social networking giant to voluntarily remove the app. It also noted that the Android app will however continue to remain on Google's Play Store.

"We've always been clear when people download Onavo about the information that is collected and how it is used," a Facebook spokeswoman told AFP. "As a developer on Apple's platform we follow the rules they've put in place."