Google gives developers a deadline to comply with data deletion rules. Android apps on the platform must allow users to delete their accounts and their data according to the new rules. And developers on Google now have until May 31, 2024, to comply.
Google Data Deletion Rules
Google at the moment is requiring Android app developers to implement controls that allow a user of an app to delete their account and data either in the app or outside of it, via the web. Developers on the platform must comply with the policy by May 31, 2024, the company in a blog post on Wednesday stated.
The web requirement simply means that data deletion is not limited to people who still have an app installed on their devices. People will not have to re-download an app just to request that their data be taken away from the app. Google Instead is requiring that developers on its platform link to a data deletion request form on the listing page of an app on the Google Play Store.
Google Is Putting Data Deletion Information in a More Prominent Location on the Play Store Page of an App
Google also is putting data deletion information in a more prominent location on the Play Store page of an app, in the form of a new badge in the data safety section of an app.
The search giant company stated that the moves are meant to empower people and also build on the trust of consumers.
World Governments Have Reportedly Stepped Up Enforcement Of Data Protection
After major and significant data breaches over the past couple of years, including the Cambridge Analytica scandal of Meta, the Equifax data breach, and Marriott’s data breach, world governments have reportedly stepped up the enforcement of data protection.
The EU just recently passed the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, in 2018, and then used it to push hefty fines on tech giants for not complying. Congress has also called for privacy regulation in the past and has grilled TikTok CEO Shou Chew in the previous month over privacy concerns and issues, but it has not passed any major legislation so far.
The US Senate on the other hand did introduce the Restrict Act in the early parts of this year, which is a bill that would give the government powers to restrict a wide range of products that are coming from China, but the move however has online civil liberties organizations concerned.
Apple Has Changed How Apps Dealt With User Data
Apple In recent years in its path has been pushing a marketing message saying it deeply cares about the privacy of users. Apple has now changed how apps dealt with user data simply by making it an opt-in feature versus an opt-out. This, therefore, meant that if the Facebook app wanted to share or track the data of a person, the app would have to ask permission first.
Prior to this, the option may have been tucked away in the settings of a device or system. And now following the change, one analytics company has suggested that users had decided to opt out of tracking 96 percent of the time.
49% Of Android Users Say That They Prefer Switching To An iPhone According To a Survey
Android users are feeling concerned about their data as well, with one survey showing that 49% of users say that they prefer switching to an iPhone because of concerns about their security and privacy. And considering that the iPhone has overtaken Android in the US for the very first time in over a decade, Google’s more privacy-forward policies and messaging may make more sense.
Google has however declined to comment on the subject beyond the blog post.
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