Android: Apps can now lie about the personal data they collect

Earlier this year, the Google Play Store launched a new data privacy division based on developers’ disclosure of information their apps collect. Therefore it will It’s harder for Android users to know what type of data apps they’re trying to access once installed.

Indeed, as Esper editor Mishaal Rahman points out, this could mean: Google will soon no longer show the list of verified permissions it automatically collects from each appIt gives developers full control over what they choose (or do not choose) to disclose to users.

Google Play Store will remove preview of app permissions

As the developer deadline approaches for Google’s new “Data Security” section of the Play Store, we’re starting to see what the future of privacy will look like in the US giant’s app store. As a reminder, The new Data Security section of the Play Store is Google’s answer to a similar feature in iOS 14.Displays a list of privacy issues provided by developers, such as what data an app collects, how that data is stored, and with whom it is shared.

According to some users, it seems to have already removed the “permissions” list from the Google Play Store. The mobile app and the web version of the store no longer show what permissions an app might need to work properly. The new “data security” replaces it to some extent. For example, if an app shows thiscollects your location information, which means it needs location permission. However, the developers still need to tell you what data is stored.

Apple already trusts developers in the App Store

The Apple App Store has implemented a similar policy for privacy protection information. The store also has developers ” self-reported summaries about the privacy practices of their apps. Apple already does trust developers to provide accurate information about the data collected by their applications, however, they are often misleading or inaccurate.

Either way, it looks like Android users will soon be faced with a serious lack of transparency from the developers. Apps like Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, Disney+, Discord and others don’t mention anything about data security yet. Even DuckDuckGo still lacks transparencyThe browser nevertheless remains committed to the safety of its users, despite recent controversy involving Microsoft.