Google is about to limit the visibility or completely remove apps from Google Play Store that violate their User Data policy. The Next Web has reported that Google has been sending noticed to developers across the world stating the company’s intentions on apps that contradict to the company’s policy.
Here’s what Google says about User Data:
You must be transparent in how you handle user data (e.g., information provided by a user, collected about a user, and collected about a user’s use of the app or device), including by disclosing the collection, use, and sharing of the data, and you must limit use of the data to the description in the disclosure. If your app handles personal or sensitive user data, there are additional requirements described below. This policy establishes Google Play’s minimum privacy requirements; you or your app may need to comply with additional restrictions or procedures if required by an applicable law.
Google Play requires developers to provide a legitimate privacy policy in case the particular app deals with sensitive user or device information.
Related: Crucial Android Bugs Being Patched By Google
Developers are given the chance to either include a link to the privacy policy in their app’s store listing page or opt-out of the requirement by getting rid of any requests handling sensitive permissions or user data. This is how Google plans to deal with the countless apps that don’t follow the company’s privacy requirements.
Notices have been sent to developers globally, informing them about the upcoming changes. Many developers have failed to provide a privacy policy, and that’s the basic violation. The issue has to be resolved by March 15, 2017, or the apps’ visibility will be limited or completely removed. For this to be avoided, developers should either remove requests for user data or provide a valid privacy policy.
Here’s the message sent out by Google:
What’s in for users? It will be much easier for them to select frequently updated and trustworthy applications as the clutter in Play Store will be reduced. Plus, the search based on certain keywords will be much easier.
Related: Google Knows About You, Know About Google!
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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