Google threatens to remove apps without visible privacy policy from Play Store

Google has sent app developers an email threatening to make apps less visible in the Play Store or remove them because it is not visible what the privacy policy is. Perhaps Google will remove many apps in the future.

Google says in the email that the app of the relevant developer does not comply with the privacy policy guidelines. An app that asks for permission for privacy-sensitive data must link to a privacy policy in the Play Store description and in the app itself. It must state how the app handles the data.

The email refers to a rule from the terms and conditions for developers to publish apps in the Play Store. It states that the app must have a privacy policy and must also handle data securely.

Developers can enter the privacy policy or have the app ask for fewer permissions. That must happen before March 15, writes tech site The Next Web. If it doesn’t happen, the search giant threatens to make the app less visible or remove it. That could affect many ‘zombie apps’ in the Play Store, notes The Next Web. It is unknown how many developers received the mail.