Google now relies only on developers to provide accurate app data storage information

Earlier this year, the Google Play Store launched a new data privacy section that relies on developers disclosing information collected by their apps. But as Arizona senior editor Mishaal Rahman (via Ars Technica) pointed out, this could mean that Google will no longer display a verified list of permissions automatically aggregated from each app, allowing developers to choose whichever app they choose. allows him to choose. You'll get complete control over what happened (or didn't). Select) to disclose to users.

When Google first announced the new data privacy section last year, the company made it clear that its system would rely on information provided by developers. On a support page, Google states that developers have until July 20 to fill out data privacy forms for their apps, noting that "alone" developers will have to make "complete and accurate declarations" for their apps. .

“Google Play reviews apps for all policy requirements; However, we cannot determine on behalf of the developers how they handle user data," Google says. "Only you have all the information you need to complete the data protection form." Google says that Will take "appropriate action" if it finds any discrepancy between the developers' reported information and the app.

It's worth noting that the Apple App Store has a similar policy for the privacy "nurturing" label, and also requires developers to submit "self-reported summaries" about the privacy practices of their apps. As Google is doing now, Apple places its trust on developers to provide truthful information about the data its apps collect, which the Washington Post reports are often "misleading or flat-out wrong." ,

While Google doesn't indicate any plans to replace the automatically generated app permissions with data privacy section, it seems that Google has quietly changed it. In a thread on Twitter, Rahman shows screenshots comparing one app listing to the old "Permissions" section, and another that has "Data Protection". I saw the same thing after comparing an archived version of TikTok's Google Play Store listing from 2021 with the one available now.

As Rahman points out, Google is storing app permissions in the Play Store, but it's not visible from the front end. He suggests downloading an open-source Play Store alternative called Aurora, which still displays the permission before you download the app.

That said, it makes a lot more sense for Google to display both the App Permissions and Data Privacy section. That way, users can compare the two to confirm that the permissions reported by the developer are consistent with Google's findings. The Verge reached out to Google to see if the company plans to reinstate the app permissions section, but didn't immediately hear back.