Google today announced more details about Google Play's upcoming "Safety section" feature that provides users with information about the data collected and used by an Android app.
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In May, Google announced upcoming changes to the Google Play Store that require app developers to disclose what information their apps collect, how the collected data is used, and what privacy/security features the apps use.
This information will appear in a new “Safety section” for each app on Google Play, starting in the first quarter of 2022, allowing users to see the types of data collected by the app, its privacy policy, and its safety features before installing it.
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Some of the information users will see about an app includes what data is collected, what data is shared with third parties, whether an app uses data encryption, follows Google's policies for families, or whether it has been independently audited against global safety standards.
Today, Google announced additional policy changes that require all app developers to include a privacy policy and that they must also disclose data used by an app's third-party libraries or SDKs.
Additionally, Google is providing developers with an updated timeline for when they can start submitting this information, when users can start seeing the Security section, and the deadline for developers to provide the information.
Starting in October 2021, “App privacy & security” will be available on an app’s content page in the Play Console. Developers can then begin filling out the questionnaire to provide information about the data collected, security features used , and the app’s privacy policy.
In early 2022, Google Play users will begin to see an app’s “App privacy & security,” including all data provided by the app’s developer. For this section to appear, the developer must have provided a privacy policy for the app.
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Finally, by April 2022, all apps will be required to have a complete “App Privacy & security” section, including a privacy policy. If there are unresolved issues with this section, Google Play will reject all app updates until it is completed.
Information source: bleepingcomputer.com
