Google may soon remove millions of apps from the Play Store

[midian182]

If you’re an Android user, you've probably noticed that trawling through Google’s Play Store can be a pain, mostly due to the overwhelming amount of garbage applications clogging up the service. But that’s about to change.

Google has been sending out notices to developers across the world, explaining that it will limit their apps’ visibility, or remove them from the store completely if they violate the company’s User Data policy.

For most of the affected apps, the warning is related to their lack of a privacy policy. Google’s note states that developers have to provide a valid privacy policy when their apps request or handle sensitive user or device information.

Devs must include a link to a privacy policy on their apps’ store page and within the apps themselves. These policies disclose how the app collects, uses and shares user data. Additionally, all user data must be handled securely, which includes transmission using modern cryptography such as HTTPS.

Google’s actions could potentially see millions of apps removed from its store, including numerous “zombie apps” - those applications that never get downloaded enough to make it into the charts, meaning users have to search for them specifically. Many rarely get updated, leaving them incompatible with newer versions of Android.

As noted by TNW, a lack of motivation or even technical know-how could see many developers fail to comply with the demands, especially if the apps aren’t performing well, leading to their removal from the store.

App developers have until March 15 to add the privacy policies.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/68096-google-may-soon-remove-millions-apps-play-store.html

 

[Puiu]

The first good news for android users in quite a while

 

[gusticles41]

Very good news! Perhaps something that should have been enforced from day 1.

 

[Arris]

I've received this recently, the only "user data" that the app uses is when the camera is used to scan a QR code. Currently trying to sort out something with our legal department to include. Pain in the rear, but overall if it clears a lot of the rubbish out of the store it's a good move.

Hello Google Play Developer,
Our records show that your app, <APP NAME>, with package name com.<APP NAME>, currently violates our User Data policy regarding Personal and Sensitive Information.
Policy issue: Google Play requires developers to provide a valid privacy policy when the app requests or handles sensitive user or device information. Your app requests sensitive permissions (e.g. camera, microphone, accounts, contacts, or phone) or user data, but does not include a valid privacy policy.
Action required: Include a link to a valid privacy policy on your app's Store Listing page and within your app. You can find more information in our help center.
Alternatively, you may opt-out of this requirement by removing any requests for sensitive permissions or user data.
If you have additional apps in your catalog, please make sure they are compliant with our Prominent Disclosure requirements.
Please resolve this issue by March 15, 2017, or administrative action will be taken to limit the visibility of your app, up to and including removal from the Play Store. Thanks for helping us provide a clear and transparent experience for Google Play users.
Regards,
The Google Play Team

 

[Uncle Al]

The only thing I can say is "It's about frigg'in time!"

 

[psycros]

Dare we hope for some actual content curation? 80% of Android apps are malware/scamware and about half of the remainder want access to your personal data without any justification.

 

[Draesk]

Okay, this might clear out old, infrequently used apps as a by-product, but it's going to do nothing to stem the flow of garbage that go up actively. It's ridiculously easy to copy & paste a googled privacy policy, and add TLS for any data sent back. Besides the fact that there's no way for Google to automatically verify how well app developers are sticking to their new privacy policies, this does absolutely nothing whatsoever to address crap-ware apps themselves.

 

[Arris]

My favorite so far is :

Privacy Policy of QR-Barcode-Scanner & QR-Barcode-Scanner Pro

1. Camera

Camera is needed for scanning QR code or Barcode.

 

[rcast]

Excellent, now I just have to find out how to write a privacy policy.

 

[Emexrulsier]

Dare we hope for some actual content curation? 80% of Android apps are malware/scamware and about half of the remainder want access to your personal data without any justification.

72% of all statistics are made up on the spot!