The Google Play Store isn’t just a way to find your next favorite apps and games — it’s also an essential tool for staying safe. Through instant updates, a thorough vetting process, and clear and concise information about permissions, security, and more, Google promises to run the safest storefront on Android. Last week, the Play Store’s new Data Safety section sparked controversy when it replaced some key information on app pages. Today, Google is announcing that those changes are being reversed, along with an explanation of what happened.
See also: Google: Blocks the website of the largest computer company as "harmful"
In theory, Data Safety was intended as an evolution of the permissions section in the Play Store app listings. Rather than simply highlighting the list of required sections that any given piece of software on your phone should have access to, Data Safety includes details about how apps could potentially collect your personal information . This new section maintained a list of permissions, essentially serving as an up-to-date guide to how modern software can intrude into your everyday life.
See also: Google Pixel 6a review: See all its features
However, there was a problem. Data security required developers to update their app listings to display these permissions, something many major companies had not done. This change left apps from the likes of Facebook, Amazon , and other major companies without permission information on the Play Store, keeping users in the dark about what each respective service required before downloading.
Thankfully, Google has listened to users. In a tweet from the Android Developers account today, the company confirmed that the permissions section will be restored to the Play Store in the near future, reverting to its original plans for how Data Safety would work.
Google also took this opportunity to clarify exactly what the difference is between permissions and data safety, clarifying that the former is based on install-time permissions declared in an app. Meanwhile, Data Safety is information about data collection that is explicitly stated by the developer — which is why the permissions section for many apps was still blank when the change was released.
See also: The new Google Wallet is now available to all users
This outcome is truly a “win-win” situation for everyone involved. Users will have a clear way to view permissions and data collection policies, Google will have more security information than ever before in the Play Store, and developers won’t have to take any additional action for something as important as permissions. Hopefully, this move won’t deter more app makers from taking the time to complete the Data Safety section.
Information source: androidpolice.com
