Google Launches Privacy Labels for Google Play Apps

Google today followed in Apple's footsteps and launched a version of privacy labels for its own apps, with the aim of providing Google Play users with more information about the data that the apps they download are collecting.

google app safety
First announced back in May 2021, Google's "Data safety" section will require developers to provide information about how their apps collect, share, and secure user data. Developers will need to offer up the following data:

  • Whether the developer is collecting data and for what purpose.
  • Whether the developer is sharing data with third parties.
  • The app's security practices, like encryption of data in transit and whether users can ask for data to be deleted.
  • Whether a qualifying app has committed to following Google Play's Families Policy to better protect children in the Play store.
  • Whether the developer has validated their security practices against a global security standard (more specifically, the MASVS).

Users will be able to determine whether the app needs the data to function or if the data collection is an optional feature that can be turned off.

Google says that Data safety information will be available starting today, and all developers will be required to complete this section for their apps by July 20.

Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
14 months ago
Nice try and good move by Google. But It's too bad. I still don't trust Google.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
14 months ago

I don't agree with all of Apple's policies but one thing is true: Apple's competitors tend to copy what Apple does. Removing the headphone jack, removing the charger in the box. This is one good thing that has come from that... privacy labels can be helpful to users.
And vice versa. All companies copy each other, and that's a good thing. Competition drives innovation.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aforty Avatar
14 months ago
Welcome to the club Google. I'll still try to use as little of your "products" as possible.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NoelWalker Avatar
14 months ago
What’s next? Pixel with lightning?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tedwill Avatar
14 months ago
The fox telling the chickens that he has their back.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
14 months ago
Copycat… but a good move in the right direction. But can we start trusting you Google? Don’t know…
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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