You're finally getting the Google Play Store and apps you deserve

Date:
Fri, 29 Jul 2022 19:32:54 +0000

Description:
Starting August 31, Google will implement new copycat rule as it begins misinformation clean up campaign.

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A new day is coming for your Android apps. Google is implementing new Play Store rules for developers as it attempts to stamp out intrusive ads, impersonators, and VPNService misuse.

The big changes will roll out incrementally with the first rule going into effect on August 31 and will be complete on July 31, 2023. Reading through
the rules, it appears that some developers on the Play Store were getting
away with uncouth practices, but Google is giving them ample time to clean up their act. The Play Store is also clarifying the language on several policies as it cracks down on misinformation. New rules

Starting August 31, apps will no longer be able to impersonate another developer/company nor can an app falsely imply that it's related to something else. Google gives the example of the RSS News Aggregator app created by Google Developer . This is an impersonator because first-party apps on the Play Store are listed under Google LLC. The developers were trying to use Google's name to sell their product.

Google also points to the YouTube Aggregator app using the official YouTube logo. This gives a false impression that YouTube Aggregator is an official
app when it isnt. Truth be told, its surprising that this file advertisement rule wasnt implemented long ago, but better late than never.

Effective September 30, full-screen interstitial ads can no longer appear randomly. Ads will still be allowed; they just cant pop up in the middle of a game or as youre scrolling through a product description . And whenever full-screen ads do appear, they must be closeable after 15 seconds. Speaking from personal experience, this is a great change because nothing kills a game faster than an annoying 30-second ad that you cant skip. Also on September
30, apps must make it clear how to manage or cancel a subscription service . Developers will no longer be able to hide the cancellation process in a labyrinth of menus. VPN clarity

Google is also tightening the rules on apps that use a VPN (virtual private network) as its core function. Apparently, developers were misusing Googles VPNService to collect user data or manipulate traffic via ads. Starting November 1, VPNService can only be used for, among other things, parental control, web browsing, and device security apps.

And on July 31, 2023, Google will be restricting the Exact Alarm Permission
so it can only be used on alarm and calendar apps. According to Mishaal
Rahman , Senior Technical Editor for Esper, this restriction will also
improve battery life. He explains that if too many apps schedule alarms at different times, it can quickly drain the phone's battery. By prioritizing apps where the main function is to be an alarm, it will solve this conflict. Effective immediately

Google has also updated many different policies to combat misinformation and make sure things stay appropriate for an app's userbase. There are so many changes, in fact, that we can't cover everything, so here are some of the
more important ones.

Descriptions, screenshots, and titles must accurately reflect what the app does. For example, developers wont be able to promote their puzzle game app with action-oriented images to make it seem more exciting. Ads now need to be appropriate to the apps rating. Ads for a mature app cant be placed into a video game rated for teenagers. Harmful medical misinformation will be more strictly enforced, as well. This includes misleading vaccine claims and the selling of prescription drugs without a prescription.

Again, its surprising these changes werent implemented earlier but cleaning
up the Play Store is always a win in our books.

While were on the topic of the Google Play Store, the platform just hit its 10th anniversary recently and TechRadars Philip Berne made a list of the 10 apps that he stuck with all these years.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/youre-finally-getting-the-google-play-store-and -apps-you-deserve/


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