Android apps that want background location data will need Google Play's OK
The new Google Play policy will consider whether having that background location data is really necessary for each app.
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Android app developers will soon need approval from the Google Play team before accessing a user's location data in the background, according to an Android Developers Blog post Wednesday. In determining approval, the new Google Play policy will consider whether the app's location-tapping feature delivers clear value to the user, if the feature is important to the primary purpose of the app and if users would expect the app to access their location in the background, the blog post said.
All apps will be evaluated against the same criteria, including apps made by Google , the post said.
"When we spoke to developers for feedback, the vast majority understood user concerns over their information falling into the wrong hands and were willing to change their location usage to be safer and more transparent," the post said.
The policy will go into effect in April, but before that, developers can submit their use case via the Play Console to get feedback on whether it'll be approved under the new rules. By August, all new apps that access background location data submitted to Google Play will need to be OK'ed. By November, all existing apps that do so will too, or face removal from Google Play.
Newer versions of Android (including the upcoming Android 11) already let users limit when apps can use their location, within Settings. This new review process is aimed at helping those still using older versions of Android -- which, unlike with Apple's iOS , is the majority of people, as software updates aren't rolled out consistently across Android phones.
