Google has announced a new data deletion policy on the Android Play Store, requiring developers to provide users an online option to delete their accounts and all in-app data. Each tab in the store will offer a new data deletion badge that will allow users to quickly request the deletion of their account and all remotely stored personal data. The previous badge will no longer be shown, while each app will have to recognize new requirements to show the new one. According to Google, the new rules will give users more control over sensitive information.
Apps that do not comply with the new Play Store policy could face ‘further action, such as removing the app from Google Play starting on 31 May 2024. Early next year, however, ‘users will start seeing the new data removal badge and data removal area in the app’s tab in Google Play’. Google has published the new rules on its official support site, where the new progressive procedure for developers can be read.
Apps will only show the new badge once Google has approved the ‘Data Security’ module for the app in question. The aim is to provide users with a very similar and consistent data deletion experience across all apps in the Play Store through the possibility to perform dedicated account and data deletion operations with a web-based option: this will allow users to delete the account without needing to install the app. In some cases, however, not all data will be deleted: developers who ‘need to retain certain data for legitimate reasons such as security, fraud prevention, or regulatory compliance’ will be able to decide to keep some user data, Google explains, however, these developers will have to ‘clearly disclose such data retention practices’.
Play Store towards new rules for deleting app data
The new rules will be enabled early next year, with developers required to share full details of their practices by 7 December 2023. Those who fail to provide such data cannot publish new apps on the Play Store or release updates for apps that do not comply with the new regulations. That is, until 31 May 2024, at which time – as mentioned above – Google may decide to remove some apps from the Play Store that do not comply with the new regulations. Developers will also have to provide the URL for deletion to Google itself, which will display it directly in the list of apps in the Play Store.
“Temporary account deactivation, disabling or “locking” of the app account does not qualify as account deletion. If you need to retain certain data for legitimate reasons such as security, fraud prevention, or regulatory compliance, you must clearly inform users about your data retention practices (e.g., within your privacy policy),” reads the documentation, in which Google points out that “we’re asking developers to submit answers to the new data deletion questions in the” Security of Your App Data” form by 7 December. Early next year, Google Play users will begin to see the changes reflected in your app’s Store tab, including the updated data deletion badge in the Data Security section and the new Data Deletion area”.
