Following the footsteps of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Google (Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL)) has now introduced an updated version of its Developers’ Policy that strictly prohibits, rather restricts, the app developers and the respective apps to indulge in any objectionable activities. This move comes from Google with a motive to tighten its users’ privacy, security and further enhance the company’s accountability towards the society. Also, it prevents the availability of any app on the Play Store that violates the terms and conditions of its updated Developers’ Policy.
Amidst controversies surrounding several companies and apps reported to be indulged in compromising its user data without the consent, Apple, in what could be termed as an appreciated move, was the first to revamp its Developers’ policy and started removing the apps that violated the policy; keeping in mind the interests and safety of its users’ data.
Google’s Developers’ Policy: What’s New
The latest July 2018 update by Google had its Developers’ Policy stricter, aiming at doing away with any loopholes for compromise. Not repeating the mistakes done by Apple while introducing its updated developers’ policy, Google has carefully traded with the choice of words when talking about the ban on Apps:
“that are created by an automated tool, wizard service, or based on templates and submitted to Google Play by the operator of that service on behalf of other persons are not allowed. Such apps are only permissible if they are published by an individually registered developer account belonging to the user of the automated tool, not the operator of the service.”
The newest additions have been made in the fields concerning Child Endangerment, Dangerous Products and Violence, Cryptocurrency, Repetitive Content and Advertisement oriented apps and Misrepresentation.
The policy of Child Endangerment asserts a complete removal of any app from the Play store that is involved in the sexual depiction of minors or those having adult content but a strong appeal to children. Also, any involvement with the apps even as a distributor would have the Google Account of the person(s) taken down by the company.
Google will not allow any availability of the apps that violate the policies under Dangerous Products that restricts the function of an app that has got to do anything with the sale or manufacturing of any firearms, explosives, restricted firearms accessories or ammunition. Also, apps dealing with graphic Violence, ways of inflicting harms, threats, disorders, anything to do with terrorist activities, etc. are being scrapped off.
Apps mining Cryptocurrencies on devices are to be blocked. Also, apps having extreme resemblance with a different app without any original value and those only made for advertisements are being taken down.
Google forbids the operations of Apps and their developers that indulge in misrepresentation or concealment of their original identity.
Google’s Play Store has over 3.8 million unique apps to download. Come late as it may, the new update and the following actions taken from Google with respect to its Developers’ Policy is to be appreciated and would surely account for some relief to its billions of Android app users. Be it competition from Apple, imitating its footsteps, for a rivalry, for profit, for morality; the users’ data along with the privacy, safety is surely going to be benefitted with much more protected and enhanced policies, regardless the causes.
