Google takes privacy seriously, this is nothing that should come as a surprise to users of Google services as Google makes a point to highlight the many different changes or measure they take to keep customer and user data safe and sound. In a recent series of changes set to take place for the Chrome browser, more specifically to Chrome’s user data policy, Google will now be cracking down on violations of that policy within the Chrome web store. What this means for users is that it should result in a more secure web store and in turn more secure apps installed on personal computers.
What this means for developers is that now, under the new policy guidelines, they’ll have to be more transparent about how their web store apps manage the data of users. Google already gives some privacy control to users, but they also want to make sure that web store developers are following along with the same privacy measures that Google themselves take so the web store is safer for everyone. Alongside the new open transparency over user data is handled, the new user data policy will also require web store developers to display their privacy practices.
Google states that developers will also need to post privacy policy and use encryption when developers are handling personal information, and that if the use of private data of users is not relevant to a specific feature of the web store app, they’ll have to ask users to consent to the user of that data through a prominent disclosure. Not unsurprisingly the user data policy changes also prohibit web store developers from gathering the web browsing activity of users unless it is a crucial and require part of the app’s main functionality. This should help to keep users from encountering as many malicious or risky apps, as the web store has seen an increase in malicious apps more recently. Although the changes to the policy are taking place as of now, Google notes that developers will have until July 14th of this year to make any changes to their apps so they’re meeting the new user data policy guidelines. Developers will of course be notified if their apps are in viloation.