This article introduces some of the most important recent changes to Google Play’s developer policy, which you can also review through the online training camp video.

The policy was updated in July 2021

Data privacy and security

  • We’re adding a “Security” section to your App details on Google Play where you can inform users about your privacy and security measures.

  • In this section, you can outline what data your application collects or shares and highlight privacy and security details, such as whether your application has data encryption.

▽ New security in Google Play

We have also made several updates to our User Data policy to enhance privacy and security:

  • All apps must make their privacy policy clear in the Google Play Administration and within the app.
    • Privacy policies must include information such as data retention and deletion policies.
    • Applications must submit privacy policies even if they do not access any personal and sensitive user data.
  • Developers must provide clear and accurate information about what personal or sensitive user data their apps collect or share.
  • If your app is aimed at children, the SDK you use must be approved before it can be used for a child-oriented service.

AD ID

Starting in the second half of 2021, we will implement a technology change. When users choose to disable ads targeted to their interests or personalize ads, the system will remove the corresponding AD ID and replace it with a string of zeros. The Google Play service update will be rolled out in phases: starting in late 2021, the update will affect apps running on Android 12; By early 2022, it will extend its reach to all apps running on Google Play-enabled devices.

With the release of Android 12 later this year, we will update the “AD Settings” page for Android devices to allow users to remove their AD ids. Users can get a new AD ID at any time later if they want.

△ Option to delete AD ID

To help developers and AD/analytics providers comply and respect user choice, the system can send notifications to users when they choose to deactivate the ID.

Additionally, if the app is intended to run on Android 12, developers need to declare Google Play service permissions in their manifest file before they can use the AD ID.

Application of group ID

For purposes such as analytics or fraud prevention, we offer a more privacy-conscious alternative, the application group ID. This ID is a unique identifier used to identify all applications on the device that belong to the same developer. You cannot use this ID for AD personalization or AD performance measurement. If the user has not used an app from the corresponding developer on the device for a year, the app group ID will be reset automatically.

Persistent device identifier

To protect user privacy, we prohibit associating permanent device identifiers with personal and sensitive user data, or with resettable device identifiers. Exceptions may be made for the following pre-approved use cases:

  • The phone service associated with the SIM card identity information, for example, the Wi-Fi call service associated with a carrier account
  • Enterprise device management applications that run in device owner mode

Family policy

We will place more restrictions on apps for kids, and we will prohibit them from acquiring or using identifiers that could be used to serve personalized ads:

  • Android AD ID (AAID), SIM card serial number, version serial number, BSSID, MAC, SSID, IMEI and/or IMSI should not be requested and collected from children or users of uncertain age.
  • Such identifiers may not be used or transmitted.

metadata

We have stricter guidelines for metadata such as app names, app ICONS, and developer names:

  • The length of the application name cannot exceed 30 characters.
  • Do not use emoticons or repeat special characters in metadata elements.
  • Misleading symbols must not appear in the app icon, such as a dot indicating a new message when there is no new message, or a download or install symbol in an app unrelated to the download.
  • Avoid all capital letters except in brand names.

Product details and publicity

We added a new rule that prohibits inducements to get installs, reviews and ratings. This includes using text or images with prices or other promotional information in the app name, app icon, and developer name. Developers are not allowed to include text or images in the app name, app icon, or developer name that refer to in-store performance/ranking or that imply relevance to existing Play plans.

Dormancy account

Play Developer accounts are for active developers who publish and actively maintain their apps. To prevent abuse, we will close inactive accounts and defunct developer accounts that have been idle for more than a year and delete all data associated with them. These accounts include developer accounts that have never uploaded an app or haven’t visited the Google Play Admin center in a year. We will send a warning notice 60 days, 30 days and 7 days before closing hibernation accounts.

Apps that have been installed more than 1,000 times or have made in-app purchases in the past 90 days are exempt.

If your account is closed due to hibernation, you can also create a new account when you want to publish an app on Google Play in the future. However, you cannot reactivate a closed account, and all previous applications and data will not be displayed in the new account.

Application of propaganda

  • Advertising, deceptive or harmful publicity activities shall not be used
  • Users should not use prohibited advertising or inducements to download the app

Financial services

  • The category of personal loan application must be set to “Finance”
  • We clarify the definition of total loan fees, which should include principal and all applicable fees
  • Personal loan applications for India or Indonesia need to meet additional requirements

Demo account

Before submitting an application with a login wall:

  • Accurately provide all application-related information and metadata
  • Make sure your contact information is up to date
  • Upload the application privacy policy and fill in the security module requirements
  • Provide active demo accounts, login information, and all other resources needed for app approval (e.g., login credentials, QR codes, etc.)

The following is the policy implementation schedule for 2021 and 2022:

Google Play policy implementation schedule

Above the timeline are the deadlines for our recent policy updates. To give developers more time to adjust to the changes, we extended the grace period; Below the timeline are some points in time related to previous policy updates.

View update details.

Important Update Reminder

Help developers succeed on Google Play

As we announced earlier, starting in July of this year, to help developers build sustainable businesses, we’re lowering our service fee rate to 15% for the first $1 million in annual revenue for every developer that sells digital goods or services.

Update of Payment Policy

For all existing applications that currently use other settlement systems, please complete the adjustment prior to the policy compliance deadline or request an extension through the Help Center.

Play Media Experience program

We also launched the Play Media Experience program to help developers gain access to more cross-device discovery and interaction opportunities, while lowering the service rate to 15% for all applicable revenue. If you think one of your apps is a good fit for the Play Media Experience program, please let us know.

Android 11, App Bundle, and settlement library V3

From August 2021, new applications will require:

  • Run with API level 30 (Android 11) or higher as the target environment and adapt to changes in the system’s behavior.
  • Publish in Android App Bundle format and use Play Asset Delivery or Play Feature Delivery to deliver resources or features with download sizes over 150MB. Please note that extension files (also known as OBBs) are no longer supported for new applications.
  • New apps must use version 3 or later of the Clearing library, which offers new ways for users to pay, subscription promotions, attribution of game purchases, and improved shopping reliability and security.

Starting in November 2021, updated versions of apps must target API level 30 or higher, be adjusted to accommodate behavior changes in Android 11, and use clearing library version 3 or higher. Existing apps that have not been updated will not be affected and users can continue to download from the Play Store.

Package visibility

For apps running Android 11 or later (SDK 30) :

  • You need to use the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES privilege to view all other installed applications:
  • Use the claim form in the Play Administration to declare the use of this permission.
  • The applications installed on the device belong to personal/sensitive user data. Please obtain the proper range of visibility permissions.

We know that updating the application may take some time, so we will give you 60 days’ notice of the deadline.

Common violations

spam

Web views and affiliate marketing spam

We prohibit applications whose primary purpose is to attract affiliate marketing traffic to a site or to provide a web view of a site.

△ Illegal legend

Repetitive content

We also found a lot of repetitive junk apps that simply provide the same experience as other apps already on Google Play. Apps should provide unique content or services that add value to users. If each app has a small amount of content, developers should consider building an integrated app.

For the purpose of advertising

We prohibit the primary purpose of an app is to serve ads, or to display interstitials after every user action.

Intellectual property rights

The application content shall not infringe the intellectual property rights of others, such as trademarks, Copyrights, patents, trade secrets and other proprietary rights. If you find an app that violates the Developer Distribution Agreement, such as copyright or trademark infringement, please let us know immediately.

If you have an upcoming app or product release, let the app review team know in advance. To prevent your app from being dealt with for violating the INTELLECTUAL property policy, make sure to use the advance notification feature provided by Play Administration and submit a license when publishing your app.

Conspicuous Disclosure Statement

If your app accesses, collects, uses, or shares personal or sensitive user data (including any feature or data that is subject to dangerous permissions or runtime permissions), the app must meet the requirements for an eye-catching disclosure statement and user consent before it can begin collecting or processing personal or sensitive user data. Please note when disclosing this information:

  • The conspicuous disclosure statement must be displayed within the app, not only in the app description or on the website.
  • It must be displayed when the user is normally using the application and can be viewed without the user opening any menus or Settings.
  • You must specify the type of data that will be accessed or collected.
  • You must explain how the data will be used and/or shared.
  • The statement must not be listed only in the Privacy policy or terms of service.
  • It may not be included in other disclosure statements that do not relate to individuals or sensitive data collection.

Don’t forget to head over to the App Developer Academy for free training resources:

  • Google Play Developer Policy Center
  • Latest updates on Android and Google Play
  • Help from Google Play Administration

Thank you again for paying attention to Google Play policy updates, and we look forward to your success in Google Play! cv