Google’s now solely relying on developers to provide accurate app data collection information

Image: Google

The data privacy section of the Play Store was launched earlier this year. If this is true, it means that developers will have full control over what they choose to reveal to users, even if they don't want to.

Last year, when the new data privacy section was announced, the company made it clear that it would rely on information from developers. Developers have until July 20th to fill out a data privacy form for their apps, according to a support page.

Although we can't make determinations on behalf of the developers of how they handle user data, we can review applications across all policy requirements. You must have all the information required to complete the form. If there are discrepancies between the reported information and the app itself, it will be taken care of by the company.

It is worth noting that the Apple App Store has a similar policy in place for its privacy "nutrition" labels, as well as requiring developers to submit "self- reported summaries" about their privacy practices. According to a report from The Washington Post, Apple puts its trust in developers to give accurate information about the data they collect, which is often misleading or flat-out inaccurate.

The data privacy section appears to have been replaced by the automatically-generated app permission section. Rahman shows a comparison of two app listings, one with the oldPermissions section and the other with data safety. I noticed the same when I looked at an archive version of TikTok's listing on the Play Store.

With the launch of the Data Safety section on Google Play, which will be mandatory for all apps in 1 week, it seems the app permissions list is going away in both the mobile app and the web.

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) July 13, 2022

Rahman points out that the front end of the Play store doesn't show the app permission that is stored in it. Aurora is an open-sourced Play Store alternative that still displays permission before you install an app.

It would make sense for the data privacy section of the website to be displayed. Users could compare the two to see if the developer- reported permission are in line with the findings. The company didn't immediately reply to The Verge's request to see if they plan on restoring the app permission section.