What you need to know
- Google is introducing a new policy for Play Store app developers.
- Developers should provide users with an easy way to request deletion of their account and data.
- Users will be able to see the changes on Google Play from early 2024.
Google is constantly making changes to the Play Store to give users more control over their data. In a new post on Wednesday’s developer blog, the company highlighted new ways consumers can remove their accounts and information from the app.
With a new policy, Google requires that any app that allows account creation must also provide an easy way to delete an account. This is a process that must be allowed both in the app and online so that users do not have to reinstall the app to delete their account.
In addition to account deletion, this policy should also provide a way for users to request that their associated data be removed from your app. As Google points out, this should happen when a user requests to delete their account, but developers can also give users other options for data deletion.
Bethel Otuteye, Senior Director of Android App Safety at Google, said in a blog post: Developers are also required to disclose what data they need to retain, but these data retention practices are required for specific reasons such as security, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance.
This new policy builds on the new data safety section introduced to the Play Store last year. This is where developers detail their data collection methods in order to provide consumers with more context before deciding to download an app. Developers can also use this section to point out how consumers can remove their data from apps, but the new policy offers users to “request their data in a more consistent manner.” By doing so, we go one step further.
Developers must submit answers to data deletion questions by December 7th. New data will make him appear on the Play Store by early 2024. Developers may also request an extension to comply with the new policy by May 31, 2024.
