Apple showed the way: Information on handling user data is mandatory in the App Store. Users should be informed transparently and comprehensively about the collection of data in apps and their use. Google announced last year that similar steps would be taken.
Google is currently informing Android developers about the exact procedure and the obligation of the said data protection report. The Play Store should also include a section on “data security” from the end of April. This is intended to provide information on how apps collect, pass on or protect user data.
Based on this information, users can then decide for themselves whether to download an app or possibly opt for a competitor’s app. By the end of April 2022, a breakdown of how all developers handle user data is expected.
As of July 20, submitting the appropriate data security form is also mandatory for all app updates. From then on you should gradually be able to expect comprehensive transparency from your app providers.
By April 2022, all developers will have to explain how they collect and process user data for the apps they publish on Google Play. They must also detail how they protect that data using security measures such as encryption. This also applies when data is collected and processed via third-party libraries or SDKs that developers use in their apps.
Let’s stay curious to see how comprehensive this will ultimately look. The list shown in the example is quite promising, as is the information requested from the developers:
Google is also pushing harder for developers to only collect and use data that is necessary for the app to function and improve. In addition, security efforts are being pushed for apps that use APIs in older Android operating systems.
The data security section also includes a “seal of approval” of sorts for developers who have committed to complying with family guidelines. For example, when it comes to privacy and safety, Google limits ads for children.
What else does Google have in store for this year? For example, Google’s privacy sandbox initiative is being expanded in the interests of data protection. In addition, developers are now granted access to an API that makes it easier for app providers to detect suspicious data traffic and thus fraud and deception.