Google Introduces Account Deletion Policy for Android Apps Following Apple’s Lead

January 25, 2025February 6, 2025 moneymetrics.org_admin Technology

In a move aimed at enhancing user data control, Google has announced a new account deletion policy for Android apps. This policy requires developers to provide users with an easy way to delete their accounts and data associated with those accounts.

Table of Contents

The Background

The announcement comes on the heels of Apple’s implementation of a similar policy on June 30, 2022, for apps on the App Store. Google will begin enforcing this new policy early next year, which means that developers have some time to prepare and implement the necessary changes in their apps.

What Developers Need to Know

To comply with this new policy, app developers must:

Provide an option to initiate account deletion from within the app and online.
Make this feature easily discoverable for users.
Delete user data associated with the account when a request is made to delete it.

Developers who need to retain certain data for legitimate reasons such as security, fraud prevention, or regulatory compliance must disclose those data retention practices in their app.

The Role of Data Safety Forms

Google will be asking developers to answer questions regarding their app’s data deletion practices through the Data Safety form by December 7. The responses provided in this form will be reflected in Google Play’s Data Safety section, which provides users with information about an app’s data collection practices.

With this new policy, Google plans to tweak the Data Safety section on the Play Store to better reflect the data controls available to users. By early next year, users will start seeing data deletion badges on Google Play for apps that have completed their forms and modified their code to allow account deletion.

Extended Grace Period

For developers who might need some time to implement this new policy, Google will provide an extended grace period until May 31, 2024. However, they must explicitly apply for it through the Google Play console.

Why This Policy Matters

This move by Google aims to enhance user data control and provide users with more transparency and choice over their account data. By requiring developers to delete user data associated with an account when a request is made, Google is taking steps to protect user privacy and security.

Conclusion

The new account deletion policy announced by Google will have significant implications for app developers. It requires them to prioritize user data control and transparency while providing users with more choice over their account data.

By following this policy, developers can ensure compliance with Google’s guidelines and provide a better experience for their users. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential that companies like Google take steps to protect user privacy and security.