When Google says that it is serious about protecting users’ privacy, you better believe it! On Thursday, the Tech Giant announced two significant changes in this regard that it would expect the Chrome extension developers to implement.
You can expect these changes to be implemented by the summer. First change would require developers to only request access to the data relevant to the features they are working on. The second change would see a rise in the number of extension developers responsible for posting privacy policies.
Not only that; but the approach third-party developers follow to allow their users access to files via Google Drive API will also be undergoing changes.
All of these changes are a part of Project Strobe, Google’s attempt to regulate the user data accessible by third-party developers. Project Strobe can also be regarded for identifying the flaws in Google+’s API, which eventually led to its demise.
Ben Smith, Google Fellow and Vice President of Engineering, mentioned that the services created by websites and third-party apps enable people to get several things done on Internet. Thus, allowing access to these apps and sites is crucial, but what’s equally important is to make people believe that their data is secure.
Thus, the extension developers would now have to request access to the minimum data required to implement features. Earlier, this practice was recommended but is now mandatory!
Additionally, Smith said that extensions must be transparent so as to let users know how their data is being handled. Due to this, the developers who were previously tasked to write extensions handling personal data and post privacy policies would witness a change; as with the new update, the requirement will incorporate extensions responsible for managing user-provided content and personal communications as well.
That leaves us with one question… how will these changes affect the Drive API? The answer to this is that as of now, Google will just be restricting third-party access to particular files and any applications in need of broader access will require a Google verification. However, don’t expect these changes to be implemented at least until next year.
Read next: 3D images and AR integration are now available in Google mobile search Results
Photo: Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images
You can expect these changes to be implemented by the summer. First change would require developers to only request access to the data relevant to the features they are working on. The second change would see a rise in the number of extension developers responsible for posting privacy policies.
Not only that; but the approach third-party developers follow to allow their users access to files via Google Drive API will also be undergoing changes.
All of these changes are a part of Project Strobe, Google’s attempt to regulate the user data accessible by third-party developers. Project Strobe can also be regarded for identifying the flaws in Google+’s API, which eventually led to its demise.
Ben Smith, Google Fellow and Vice President of Engineering, mentioned that the services created by websites and third-party apps enable people to get several things done on Internet. Thus, allowing access to these apps and sites is crucial, but what’s equally important is to make people believe that their data is secure.
Thus, the extension developers would now have to request access to the minimum data required to implement features. Earlier, this practice was recommended but is now mandatory!
Additionally, Smith said that extensions must be transparent so as to let users know how their data is being handled. Due to this, the developers who were previously tasked to write extensions handling personal data and post privacy policies would witness a change; as with the new update, the requirement will incorporate extensions responsible for managing user-provided content and personal communications as well.
That leaves us with one question… how will these changes affect the Drive API? The answer to this is that as of now, Google will just be restricting third-party access to particular files and any applications in need of broader access will require a Google verification. However, don’t expect these changes to be implemented at least until next year.
Read next: 3D images and AR integration are now available in Google mobile search Results
Photo: Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images
