(Image Source: Fast Company)

BY EVAN THOMAS

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

Well, it’s taken nearly a week.

But Apple now admits — it let iOS developers have far too clear a look inside your little black book.

NBC Miami reports — Apple is making some changes.

“Apple officials say they will begin requiring iPhone and iPad apps to seek explicit approval in separate user prompts before accessing users’ address books in the following days.”

Apple’s new stance came hard on the heels of a letter sent from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has some pointed questions for Apple about developer oversight.

“This incident raises questions about whether Apple’s iOS app developer policies and practices may fall short when it comes to protecting the information of iPhone users and their contacts.”

TechCrunch says Apple’s move looks kind of like a quick patch.

“...the problem I have with Apple’s solution is that it looks like an inelegant knee-jerk response, not a carefully planned advancement in how it helps developers build better products for users.”

And Geekwire adds — the fix is a good start, but Apple can do more.

“Asking for permission is important, but consent is only part of the picture. A natural next step would be getting companies to actively disclose and limit the amount of time they store the data.”

Apple says its fix will be rolled into the next update to iOS. But CNET says — that could be a while coming.

“Apple did not offer a specific date on when that software update would arrive. The company is currently beta-testing iOS 5.1 with developers, which is expected to make its way to consumers soon.”

Meanwhile, Google’s head of Android developer relations took the opportunity to point out on Twitter — Android has always required permission from the get-go.

Apple’s not navigating choppy privacy waters alone, though. Its changes come as Twitter and other social services admit to collecting — and keeping — user contact data.