Google is restricting apps that offer loans to individuals from accessing sensitive user data such as photos, videos and contacts, in an effort to better respond to an increase in predatory behavior by some lenders who harass borrowers. intend to do something.
The search giant pushed an update to its personal loan policy for apps on the Play Store on Wednesday, introducing new restrictions that prohibit apps from accessing external storage, photos, videos, contacts, precise location and call logs. It will be changed from May 31st.
“Apps that offer personal loans or whose primary purpose is to facilitate access to personal loans (i.e. lead generators or facilitators) are prohibited from accessing sensitive data such as photos and contacts. ,” the company said in an update.
A new trend is causing concern as recent reports show that certain individuals who obtain credit via mobile apps are being harassed by debt collectors. allegedly accessed private contacts and informed friends and family of unpaid debts. In more extreme cases, agents use manipulated images to further intimidate and torment debtors. Tragically, many of these targeted people give in to pressure and take their own lives.
Such cases are commonly reported in markets such as India and Kenya. Google initially responded by blocking hundreds and thousands of personal loan apps from the Play Store after being warned by law enforcement and central banks. The company has also introduced rules banning unauthorized loan apps from the Android app store.
Google has also introduced a requirement for apps appearing on the Play Store offering personal loans in Pakistan to have specific licensing documents in order to “demonstrate the ability to provide or facilitate” credit. said. The company also mandated that domestic non-bank finance companies have only one digital lending app on the Play Store.
“Developers who attempt to publish multiple DLAs per NBFC risk having their developer account and other associated accounts terminated,” Google said.
Android makers Android makers have been criticized in the past for not taking strong action against predatory loan apps. In response, the company has introduced policy updates in markets such as India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Kenya and the Philippines.
