Google starts rolling out Data safety section in Google Play

Google announced that it has started to roll out the Google Play Data safety section, which it first announced last May, to all users. The company said users will now start seeing the safety section in Google Play.

The data safety section requires app developers to give users more information about how apps collect, share and secure users’ data. Google said developers are required to complete this section for their apps by July 20th. Last October, the company had rolled out the form for the data safety section.  

 As app developers update their functionality or change their data handling practices, they will show the latest in the apps’ Data safety section.

+ The information developers can show in the Data safety section includes: 

+ Whether the developer is collecting data and for what purpose.

+ Whether the developer is sharing data with third parties.

+ The app’s security practices, like encryption of data in transit and whether users can ask for data to be deleted.

+ Whether a qualifying app has committed to following Google Play’s Families Policy to better protect children in the Play store.

+ Whether the developer has validated their security practices against a global security standard (more specifically, the MASVS).

Google also announced that it adds controls for installed apps through simple permission features. For example, when an app asks to access location, users can quickly and easily decide whether they want to grant that permission – for one time use, only while using the app, or all the time. For sensitive permissions like camera, microphone, or location data, people can go to the Android Privacy dashboard to review data access by apps.