Google will review all Android apps that request location access

Android 10 brings many worthwhile new features, including privacy-focused features like the ability to block apps from collecting location data when not in use. This is extremely necessary in the context of current complex data collection and privacy abuses. With Android 11, Google will give users even more stringent location management capabilities. Mountain View Company will make a few changes to management policies on Android and the Google Play Store, especially for apps that require location access in the background.

Google claims that it has detected countless cases of Android apps that require access to location data in the background to work, but in fact these applications are completely unused. location data. In other words, this is fraudulent behavior, collecting unauthorized user data. To prevent rooting such behavior, the search giant will update some new terms and policies for the Play Store to ensure that developers must get approval from Google before the Their application is allowed to access user location data.

Factors that Google will consider approving include:

1. Does the feature provide clear value to users?
2. Do users want the app to access their location data in the background?
3. Is this an important feature for the main purpose of the application?
4. Is it possible to provide a similar experience without accessing location apps in the background?

To ensure fairness, the applications developed by Google will also be evaluated against these criteria.

In addition to helping app developers proactively submit comments and suggestions for approval and feedback, Google has announced a specific policy change roadmap as follows:

1. April: Officially updated the policy of reviewing apps to access location on Google Play.
2. May: Developers can request feedback on their application cases via the Play Console with an estimated response time of 2 weeks, depending on the workload.
3. August 3: All new applications submitted to Google Play that require location access in the background will need to be approved.
4. November 2: All existing applications that request location access in the background will be reviewed. Schools that do not meet the requirements will be removed from Google Play.