Android's App Store Privacy Section Starts Rolling Out Today (arstechnica.com) 14
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Following in the footsteps of iOS 14, Google is rolling out an app privacy section to the Play Store on Tuesday. When you look up an app on the Play Store, alongside sections like "About this app" and "ratings and reviews," there will be a new section called "Data privacy & security," where developers can explain what data they collect. Note that while the section will be appearing for users starting today, it might not be filled out by developers. Google's deadline for developers to provide privacy information is July 20. Even then, all of this privacy information is provided by the developer and is essentially working on the honor system.
Here's how Google describes the process to developers: "You alone are responsible for making complete and accurate declarations in your app's store listing on Google Play. Google Play reviews apps across all policy requirements; however, we cannot make determinations on behalf of the developers of how they handle user data. Only you possess all the information required to complete the Data safety form. When Google becomes aware of a discrepancy between your app behavior and your declaration, we may take appropriate action, including enforcement action."
Once the section is up and running, developers will be expected to list what data they're collecting, why they're collecting it, and who they're sharing it with. The support page features a big list of data types for elements like "location," "personal info," "financial info," "web history," "contacts," and various file types. Developers are expected to list their data security practices, including explaining if data is encrypted in transit and if users can ask for data to be deleted. There's also a spot for "Google Play's Families Policy" compliance, which is mostly just a bunch of US COPPA and EU GDPR requirements. Google says developers can also indicate if their app has "been independently validated against a global security standard."
Here's how Google describes the process to developers: "You alone are responsible for making complete and accurate declarations in your app's store listing on Google Play. Google Play reviews apps across all policy requirements; however, we cannot make determinations on behalf of the developers of how they handle user data. Only you possess all the information required to complete the Data safety form. When Google becomes aware of a discrepancy between your app behavior and your declaration, we may take appropriate action, including enforcement action."
Once the section is up and running, developers will be expected to list what data they're collecting, why they're collecting it, and who they're sharing it with. The support page features a big list of data types for elements like "location," "personal info," "financial info," "web history," "contacts," and various file types. Developers are expected to list their data security practices, including explaining if data is encrypted in transit and if users can ask for data to be deleted. There's also a spot for "Google Play's Families Policy" compliance, which is mostly just a bunch of US COPPA and EU GDPR requirements. Google says developers can also indicate if their app has "been independently validated against a global security standard."
Filter Apps based on Privacy or Permissions (Score:5, Interesting)
A search with filters based on Permission would be really more useful. But I doubt it will be implemented, as spywares, trackings, "analytics" are the bread and butter of most apps and Google.
Re: (Score:1)
Re: (Score:3)
Try the F-Droid open source app store. There are plenty on there offering all the features you might want.
That said, if it's just flashlight functionality, it's been years since I saw a phone that didn't have to built in to the OS.
Re: Filter Apps based on Privacy or Permissions (Score:2)
It's the least Goog can do to support its product. (Score:2)
"This...Information is provided by the developer" (Score:2)
No prizes who those most likely to leave it blank will be... (to borrow somewhat from Sesame Street) F, G and T
Should be enforced and validated (Score:1)
That is the entire point (Score:1)
The entire point of essentially all of the app industry is to collect data about you without your knowledge. Being honest about data collection would be like the cigarette industry telling you all the addictive chemicals and carcinogens they add to their product. Yes, dishonest data collection is the foundation on which the app industry is builtbut it goes beyond that. Dishonest data collection IS the industry.
Re: That is the entire point (Score:2)
This may be simplistic... (Score:2)
Re: This may be simplistic... (Score:2)
Phones always had a built in "flashlight app"; anything that makes the screen mostly white.
Also, every phone I owned in the past several years had an LED flashlight that could be toggled on and off from simply clicking an icon in the notification bar.
"Flashlight" apps are targeted at people who don't know any better and thus the perfect target for all kinds of abuse.
"Pretty please" (Score:2)
The chances that anybody small enough to avoid immediate and merciless scrutiny will fill out this section honestly are near zero.