The tech giant has finally made all Google Play Store apps disclose the data they collect from app users. The move, that was first hinted at in 2021, now comes into action as the apps display such information on the Play Store.
Google App Developers To Disclose Data They Collect
In May 2021, Google announced a new safety section for Android users, striving to increase transparency.
At that time, they announced that the apps would show information about the kind of data they collect from the users. Hence, this move would help the users know what data they would share with the apps before installation. Having such knowledge before app download would ultimately help the user decide better. In addition to this detail, the apps would also highlight prominent features, such as encryption, compliance with Google Families Policy, and independent security validation.
Then, in July 2021, they further described that app developers must also provide a “Privacy Policy”, especially for apps that collect data. This move even applied to Google-owned apps.
And now, Google has rolled out this feature on Play Store, where the apps clearly list the data they collect.
According to its support article, all app developers must ensure compliance with this policy by July 2022.
By July 20, 2022, all developers must declare how they collect and handle user data for the apps they publish on Google Play, and provide details about how they protect this data through security practices like encryption. This includes data collected and handled through any third-party libraries or SDKs used in their apps.
Whereas the Play Store has started implementing the new safety section feature across all apps in late April 2022.
Google believes that the app developers had had ample time to understand the new requirements. And that they should now comply with this policy to publish their apps stay on the Play Store. Also, Google urges all app developers to state all the details honestly, failing which might lead to the app’s removal.
The tech giant has shared all the details developers should need in their article.