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Google unveils its proposed ‘safety section’ for apps on Google Play – TechCrunch

In the wake of Apple’s advances in consumer privacy with initiatives like App Tracking Transparency and App Store privacy labels, Google recently announced its plans to introduce a new “safety section” on Google Play that offers more information about the data apps collect and share, and other security and privacy details. Today, the company is sharing for the first time what the new section’s user interface will look like, along with other developer requirements.

In May, Google explained the safety section would be designed to easily communicate to users how apps are handling their data to make informed choices. It said app developers would need to disclose to users whether their app uses security practices like data encryption, whether it follows Google Play’s Families policy for apps aimed at kids, whether users have a choice in data sharing, whether a third party had verified the app’s safety section, and if the app allowed users to request data deletion at the time of uninstalling, among other things. In the user interface concept Google debuted today, developers can see how this feature will look to the end-user.

In the safety section, users will see the developer’s explanation of what data the app collects, followed by those other details, each with its icon to serve as a visual indicator. When users tap into the summary, they’ll see further information like what data is collected or shared — such as location, contacts, personal information (e.g., name, email address), financial information, and more. They’ll also see how the data is used — for app functionality, personalization, etc. — and whether data collection is optional.

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Google wants to give developers plenty of time to prepare for these Play Store changes, so it’s now sharing more information about the new feature’s data type definitions, user journey, and policy requirements. It notes that all developers must provide a privacy policy by April 2022. Before, only apps that collected personal and sensitive user data were required to do so. Developers will also be required to share accurate and complete information about all the data in their safety section, including how it’s used by the app’s third-party libraries and SDKs. This is in line with what Apple demands for its apps.

In October 2021, developers will be able to submit their information in the Google Play Console for review ahead of the planned launch of the safety section in Google Play, which is scheduled for the first quarter of 2022. The company also notes it’s offering some buffer time after the section’s launch before apps have their safety section approved by Google. However, the company says apps will have to be approved by Q2 2022 or risk having their app submissions or updates rejected. And if an app doesn’t provide an approved safety section, the app will say, “No information available.”

The change will help highlight how many active developers are present on Google Play because those will be the ones who will adopt the new policy and showcase how their apps collect and use data. The question remains how stringent Google will enforce its new guidelines and how carefully apps will be reviewed. One interesting note here is that conscientious developers will be able to submit their safety section for a third-party review and then be able to promote that to users concerned about app data privacy and security.

This could help to address some potential criticism that these safety sections aren’t factual. The Washington Post discovered that delayed false information made launching them less helpful to the users whose data they aimed to protect. That’s been a problem for Apple since its App Store privacy labels launched. When reached for comment, however, Google declined to share more details about how the third-party verification process will work.

Gemma Broadhurst
I am a writer by profession, and I love to write in my spare time. I am one of the most experienced writer for newspriest. I always make sure that whatever is written on my blog is 100% genuine and true. I am a University of Florida graduate pursuing a Master's degree.

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