Google follows Apple by introducing Android app privacy 'nutrition labels'

Google is finally implementing its own take on Apple's privacy notices, with the "Data Safety" section of Google Play warning of data types that may be collected and shared by apps.

Following the introduction and success of Apple's so-called "nutrition labels" for privacy in the App Store, Google announced in May 2021 that it would follow down the same route for the Google Play Store. Almost a year later, Google finally revealed its attempt on the idea.

Named "Data Safety," the labels have the same basic concept as Apple's version, in that it summarizes the data safety practices of apps. This would include details on how data is collected or shared, along with security an app undertakes with the data, and other elements.

Google has made Data Safety active on its store listings, both in a browser and in the Android store app, but it still requires developers to submit information for the listings. Google has set a deadline for all developers to do so by July 20 via Play Console.

Apps that don't have a submission will be listed as having "No info available" in the Google Play Store listing, until one is submitted. Google further warns that non-compliant apps may "face additional enforcement actions in the future," such as removal from Google Play.

The information needed to be submitted includes links to the app's privacy policy, types of data collected, what the data will be used for, practices on collection and sharing, how the app and developer handle the data, and privacy and security practices. Developers also have to say if they have opted into Google Play's "Designed for Families" program.

4 Comments

9secondkox2 3124 comments · 8 Years

About 2 years ago

The
entire existence of Android is copying iPhone. So just more of the same.

But who actually TRUSTS Google to honor what those labels say, without some surreptitious workaround for its developer partners to still get what they want?

I wonder if Android itself will have a privacy label…

Everything Google does is based around the Trojan horse concept. We give you something and unbeknownst to you, we also storm the citadel of your life and take your private data to do with as we please. That’s the actual business model. You never knew what hit you.

No thanks.

Beats 3073 comments · 4 Years

About 2 years ago

It’s mind blowing that a company can ripoff another’s tech so much that the software(apps) are 1:1 the same.

Beats 3073 comments · 4 Years

About 2 years ago

9secondkox2 said:

The
entire existence of Android is copying iPhone. So just more of the same.
But who actually TRUSTS Google to honor what those labels say, without some surreptitious workaround for its developer partners to still get what they want?

I wonder if Android itself will have a privacy label…

Everything Google does is based around the Trojan horse concept. We give you something and unbeknownst to you, we also storm the citadel of your life and take your private data to do with as we please. That’s the actual business model. You never knew what hit you.

No thanks.

Think of Google like a GPS system. They are mapping the human race.

At some point, it’s inevitable, the mapping will get into the wrong hands.

ihatescreennames 1971 comments · 19 Years

About 2 years ago

I remember waiting months for Google to update Google Maps on iOS once the nutrition labels came out. It’s still fun to compare Apple Maps’ nutrition label to Google Maps’. Apple Maps has 7 data points of info collected that are NOT linked to you. By contrast Google Maps has 11 points that are linked to you, including contacts and financial info. I’d love to know why Google needs those for their maps app to function, but Apple doesn’t.