The digital world is always changing and with each passing day comes a new series of challenges that can’t be overlooked. This includes the fluctuating social media app landscape that needs particular attention.
Therefore, it makes sense why Google is working toward changing its Play Store’s policies and while some amendments may be minor, others are worth a mention.
The company says that some of the changes would be seen rolling out soon while the rest would follow in the upcoming months. All in all, the tech giant seems confident that it can tackle the growing concerns of its stakeholders with these steps.
Google added how some changes are public while others are limited to developers. There was also great stress put on app subscriptions being canceled as well.
In the same way, a special mention was put out for users having apps that might not align with such policies. For those cases, apps would be provided with respective grace periods of 30 days, at a minimum. This way, they can take the time to get well equipped with the new changes.
But what exactly do those policy changes include? Well, for starters, there’s one limited to developers. The whole idea is to target those working with API level number 32. Google says the apps here would now be forced to meet specific criteria such as it being limited to alarms or simply calendars.
Google spoke about how the change would come into play when permissions were revealed.
Another major policy change is restricted to the spread of misinformation linked to health. The idea is to put a limit on impersonation and any misleading claims linked to drugs, treatments, vaccines, and dangerous practices.
Anyone that tries to prove their identity as some that they’re not would also similarly be penalized.
Google’s new policy will also have zero tolerance for those that deal with interstitial ads. Hence, all developers would be limited in regards to their use across various apps. But how exactly can ads be displayed by developers now? Well, the firm has delineated a particular protocol linked to just that.
Google also hopes to make the cancellation of subscription processes an easier affair too by making them more visible across different apps.
The search engine giant has also decided to take action against apps that are designed to track people and while the situation might be a difficult one, others are loving the action by Google.
But this comes with the issues of many who feel they’re helpful as parenting tools, where kids can be tracked easily, in case they fail to tell their whereabouts to their own mom and dad.
Therefore, Google has changed the policy for such apps by enlisting an entire guideline that helps limit surveillance for malicious purposes.
There was much talk about ads making use of VPN services that Google has been forced to look into in the past as well when people citied reservations on the matter.
The firm says that now, it’s going to make sure apps linked to remote servers would only be functioning through effective VPN services. Obviously, this comes with exceptions like user tracking, parental control, browsing, and remote access too.
Lastly, Google has delineated how there is no room for any dodgy apps but we feel some good ones might be deemed guilty during the intense crossfire. Clearly, the change is plenty and we hope it’s all for the good.
Read next: Google Chrome is taking Passwords to the Next Level
Therefore, it makes sense why Google is working toward changing its Play Store’s policies and while some amendments may be minor, others are worth a mention.
The company says that some of the changes would be seen rolling out soon while the rest would follow in the upcoming months. All in all, the tech giant seems confident that it can tackle the growing concerns of its stakeholders with these steps.
Effective 8/31/2022: Google Play won't "allow apps containing misleading health claims that contradict existing medical consensus, or can cause harm to users." Examples include: pic.twitter.com/S4MjZZdbPY
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) July 27, 2022
Effective 9/30/2022: Unexpected interstitial ads are prohibited. These include full screen interstitial ads of all formats that show unexpectedly or that aren't closeable after 15s. Interstitials that don't interrupt the user or the user opted into can persist > 15s.
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) July 27, 2022
Google added how some changes are public while others are limited to developers. There was also great stress put on app subscriptions being canceled as well.
In the same way, a special mention was put out for users having apps that might not align with such policies. For those cases, apps would be provided with respective grace periods of 30 days, at a minimum. This way, they can take the time to get well equipped with the new changes.
But what exactly do those policy changes include? Well, for starters, there’s one limited to developers. The whole idea is to target those working with API level number 32. Google says the apps here would now be forced to meet specific criteria such as it being limited to alarms or simply calendars.
Google spoke about how the change would come into play when permissions were revealed.
Another major policy change is restricted to the spread of misinformation linked to health. The idea is to put a limit on impersonation and any misleading claims linked to drugs, treatments, vaccines, and dangerous practices.
Anyone that tries to prove their identity as some that they’re not would also similarly be penalized.
Google’s new policy will also have zero tolerance for those that deal with interstitial ads. Hence, all developers would be limited in regards to their use across various apps. But how exactly can ads be displayed by developers now? Well, the firm has delineated a particular protocol linked to just that.
- Also read: Selfies, Blurry, and Poor Quality Images To be Removed From Google Maps In The Upcoming Days
Google also hopes to make the cancellation of subscription processes an easier affair too by making them more visible across different apps.
The search engine giant has also decided to take action against apps that are designed to track people and while the situation might be a difficult one, others are loving the action by Google.
But this comes with the issues of many who feel they’re helpful as parenting tools, where kids can be tracked easily, in case they fail to tell their whereabouts to their own mom and dad.
Therefore, Google has changed the policy for such apps by enlisting an entire guideline that helps limit surveillance for malicious purposes.
There was much talk about ads making use of VPN services that Google has been forced to look into in the past as well when people citied reservations on the matter.
The firm says that now, it’s going to make sure apps linked to remote servers would only be functioning through effective VPN services. Obviously, this comes with exceptions like user tracking, parental control, browsing, and remote access too.
Lastly, Google has delineated how there is no room for any dodgy apps but we feel some good ones might be deemed guilty during the intense crossfire. Clearly, the change is plenty and we hope it’s all for the good.
Read next: Google Chrome is taking Passwords to the Next Level
