One of the downsides of Android being an open operating system is that app developers can pretty much mess with it in any way they want. Like putting ads that appear on your phone's lock screen.
Nobody really wants that, which is why Google is now banning apps that try to display ads on the lock screen from the Play Store. Android Police spotted the change in Google’s Developer Policy Center, which clarifies what types of eligible apps can be included in Android apps and how they can appear.
Under a new section titled “Lockscreen Monetization,” Google states:
“Unless the exclusive purpose of the app is to provide a lock screen, apps may not introduce advertising or monetized features to a device’s lock screen.”
This required cleanup will force developers to stop advertising in their apps.
As Android Police notes, apps like ES File Explorer and Hotspot Shield VPN – two popular utility apps – will no longer be able to display ads on the lock screen in an attempt to get users to click on them.
This practice has been an ongoing issue for a growing number of Android apps, as developers essentially try to trick users into clicking on ads, which are often unrelated to the app itself.
Many times, these ads are easily ignored, but accidental clicks are not only annoying, but could potentially be exploited to lead you to a website that could steal your personal information.
This new policy change is great for all Android users and will also improve security, but it won't affect users who have phones that have Amazon special offers. Those phones will continue to show ads on the lock screen, as they are considered a lock screen app.
