Google Plans to Add Privacy Labels to Play Store Apps Next Year

Thursday May 6, 2021 11:57 am PDT by Juli Clover

Apple with iOS 14 introduced App Privacy labels for App Store apps, which are designed to let customers know details about the data that an app will collect about them before they make the decision to install an app.

google privacy labels
Google is planning to follow in Apple's footsteps with the Play Store, introducing a new feature that will require developers to provide transparency into how apps are using data.

On the Android Developers Blog, Google announced a new "safety section" for the Play Store that will "help people understand the data an app collects of shares, if that data is secured, and the additional details that impact privacy and security."

Developers will be asked to share what type of data is collected and stored and how the data is used. Play Store listings will also outline whether apps employ security practices like data encryption, if Google's Families policy is followed, if the data sharing details have been verified by an independent third party, and if an app allows users to request data deletion.

As with Apple's App Privacy labels, Google Play developers must self-report information, and Google will introduce a policy that requires developers to provide accurate details. If a developer violates this policy, Google will "require the developer to fix it" and there could be "policy enforcement" consequences.

Google plans to share additional policy requirements and resources this summer, and all Play Store apps will be required to provide this information starting in the second quarter of 2022.

Tag: Google Play

Top Rated Comments

_Spinn_

31 months ago

Google has to keep up the appearance of caring about privacy ?

Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Think|Different

Almost like it was a good idea to begin with?

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Techwatcher

Now companies are learning that caring about customer privacy is a whole money maker on its own.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Kabeyun

Let’s see how many companies decide to complain or take pot shots. Think Schmuckerberg will publicly wring his hands again?

I also wonder how many MR members who went apoplectic about Apple doing this will again go apoplectic about Google following suit.

Finally, I wonder how many Apple haters will finally recognize what innovation can look like, beyond bezel size, that is.

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)