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Ask HN: Is it possible to get email address from people that download my iOS app

2 points by aflaisler ↗ HN
Hi everyone, we are about to submit our app to the app stores. I am wondering if (1) Is it possible to obtain a list of email addresses of people that will download it (iOS and/or Google Play) and (2), if it was possible to ask people to enter their email address on the first page of the app. Thanks a lot for your help. Feel free to ask any questions. Aymeric

3 comments

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valarauca1
Generally speaking demanding data form your users before they get to experience/use your app is bad design. Its understandable to a degree for twitter ,tumblr, facebook, etc, because their services transcend mobile apps, and include a website that your account makes uniquely yours.

If all you are is an app, and the first thing I need to do is give you my email, to use the app (or register an account), I'm uninstalling it.

:.:.:

Dare I ask why you want their email?

aflaisler
Sure, the idea is to try some (re)engagement hacks in the case they did not complete the "signup process". Just so you know our app is an email application http://mailcloud.com/ that require people to add their email account.
kjs3
IANAL. Depends on what you're going to do with the email address (and the other data you collect about the user). If it's send them commercial email, the critical question is whether or not using the app constitutes an "opt-in" in all jurisdictions. I think you have a good case under US CAN-SPAM Act, as implied consent under the guise of a "business relationship" is in play, but it's much less clear under the Canadian CASL rules, as you have to get explicit consent to receive CEM (implied and transitive consent isn't enough). And EU privacy rules are even more complicated, and cover more than just data collection for sending CEM. We use outside counsels in each jurisdiction when we need to answer questions like this.

P.S. - FWIW, I'm with valarauca1...nothing quite says "do not want" like an app (even worse, a website) that requires me to enter my email before doing anything.