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.