In Case You Missed It! Google Play Launches New Data Safety Section – Deadline July 20, 2022

Google announced in May 2021 that it would create a new safety section within Google Play, requiring mobile app developers to disclose information regarding the app’s data collection, use, sharing, and security practices. This section applies to all apps published on Google Play, including new app submissions, existing apps undergoing updates, and apps on various testing tracks (e.g., internal, closed, open, production).

Similar in concept to Apple’s Privacy Nutrition Label, Google Play’s Data Safety section was created to provide users with knowledge of how their data is being collected and/or shared. While this section is now live on Google Play, developers have until July 20, 2022 to determine and declare details on how data is collected in their apps through the Data Safety form in Play Console.

The required information includes:

  • A link to the app’s privacy policy, regardless of whether the app collects any user data

  • Data types (e.g., location, personal information, financial information, health and fitness, photos and videos, web browsing)

  • Data purposes (e.g., app functionality, analytics, developer communications, advertising or marketing, personalization, account management)

  • Data collection practices

  • Data sharing practices

  • Data handling practices

  • Privacy and security practices

Additional features include requirements for apps where children are a target audience or those apps that have chosen to opt-in to Google Play’s Designed for Families program. Google will take enforcement action in the event they become aware of a discrepancy between an app’s Data Safety form declaration and the app’s actual data practices.

For additional details on these new requirements, please visit Google Play Console’s Help page here. Although we are a few months ahead of the July 20th deadline, it is essential that development and legal teams begin having the necessary conversations to prepare and execute. This is fundamental to ensure that disclosures made through the Data Safety form accurately reflect data processes and correspond with an app’s privacy policy.

Originally published by InfoLawGroup LLP. If you would like to receive regular emails from us, in which we share updates and our take on current legal news, please subscribe to InfoLawGroup’s Insights HERE.


Apps, PrivacyInfoLawGroup LLPPrivacy, Apps, Google