Play Store: Google tightens the screw on financial apps

As announced last March, Google is committed to making Android and the Play Store more secure in 2023. This will include the launch of the beta version of Privacy Sandbox, a technology designed to strengthen the protection of user privacy.

on Play Store, the firm plans to develop the “Data Security” division storefront with new rules and integration of functions. And quite rightly, Google made some changes to Play Store policies With the April 2023 Update.

Google takes over financial apps

This time, the American company decided to focus its efforts on financial applications, and especially those that offer personal loans to individuals. Here’s what we can read on the Google support site:

“We are updating our Personal Loans Policy to state that apps whose purpose is to provide or facilitate personal loans cannot access user contacts or photos.”

Additionally, these apps can no longer access the user’s internal storage, videos, or precise location and call logs. Also, Google reminds that it doesn’t allow the following apps: exposing users to misleading or harmful financial products and services. Here firm means any solution for managing or investing money or cryptocurrencies, including any personalized advisory service.

Also read: Google Play Store will make life easier for several smartphone users

Google reacts after harassment cases against debtors

Why are you making these changes now? In recent weeks, frightening testimonies have been published on the Internet. Users say they are victims harassment from debt collectors after getting a loan in a mobile application.

These brokers could access borrowers’ personal contacts to report their current debt to their friends and family. The idea is to focus on social pressure to expedite payback. In more severe cases, even these agents stole users photos before changing them… Then to scare them. These cases have been reported in key markets such as India and Kenya.

Source : TechCrunch