This is my first time to upload apk on play store. Firstly, I am getting error of Privacy policy that I have use camera in my app. Later on I searched on google I got some some suggestion later on again I creating signed apk and when I going to upload apk its showing this error.
Store listing
1 task to complete before you rollout
Your app has an apk with version code 1 that requests the following permission(s): android.permission.CAMERA. Apps using these permissions in an APK are required to have a privacy policy set.
Is it possible to upload apk without upload url of Privacy policy. I used camera in my app?
Is it possible to upload apk without upload url of Privacy policy.
NO, You must Add URL on Privacy Section. It's Google's Policy.
You can host your privacy policy with any publicly accessible URL .
Read official guideline about Privacy Policy Guidance
Since February 2017 Google enforces a strict privacy policy
requirement on apps requesting sensitive permissions and user data.
There are quite a few places in the Google Play Store documentation
that points out that requirement.
What information do you share?
In your policy, you should disclose the circumstances when you share
information. For example, you may share information with third parties
as part of the service (like a restaurant reservation Action), with
other users (like a social network or forum), with marketing partners,
or with service providers that assist with your service (like hosting
companies or technology platforms).
Since you are using user's camera, google will allow you to upload apps only if you are sure you are not abusing the access to the camera.
In Play console, go to Store Presence > Store Listing > Find Privacy policy at the end of the page.
Then place the url of the page of your privacy policy and you are good to go.
No it is not possible to upload apk without upload url of Privacy policy
There is small service, can be used for fast generation of Privacy Policy in simple cases.
Related
I did not know what to link as my privacy policy page for my app submission for the android play store and so I looked on the internet for answers and apparently I can use any random privacy policy page and my app can still be approved. This is the page that I linked as my privacy policy page, I'm not even sure if its going to get approved so can someone tell me if this is an acceptable privacy policy page or will it get rejected? If it is not then can someone link me something that will work for any type of app.
Unlikely that Google will approve any apps without a specific Privacy Policy.
To get the app approved:
Have a descriptive Privacy Policy that discloses your collection and use of images from users
Complete the Data Safety form to match your Privacy Policy disclosures
If you do not collect any data (including through use of third-party SDKs), simply state so in a Privacy Policy.
I have used Admob in my application but i forgot to add privacy policy but now I added privacy policy to the application and playstore but the application didn't appear on playstore again.
Please guide my how to resolve this issue.
Hi developers at Cmptrsntst,
After review, The News Headlines, binarysole.com.thenewsheadlines, has
been removed from Google Play due to a policy violation. This app
won’t be available to users until you submit a compliant update.
Issue: Violation of Usage of Android Advertising ID policy and section
4.8 of the Developer Distribution Agreement
Google Play requires developers to provide a valid privacy policy when
the app requests or handles sensitive user or device information.
We’ve identified that your app collects and transmits the Android
advertising identifier, which is subject to a privacy policy
requirement. If your app collects the Android advertising ID, you must
provide a valid privacy policy in both the designated field in the
Play Console, and from within the app.
Next steps: Submit your app for another review
Read through the Usage of Android Advertising ID and User Data
policies, as well as the Developer Distribution Agreement, and make
appropriate changes to your app. If you decide to collect sensitive
user information, be sure to abide by the above policies, and include
a link to a valid privacy policy on your app's store listing page and
within your app. Make sure that your app is compliant with all other
Developer Program Policies. Additional enforcement could occur if
there are further policy violations. Sign in to your Play Console and
submit the update to your app. Alternatively, you may opt-out of this
requirement by removing any requests for sensitive permissions or user
data.
If approved, your app will again be available with all installs,
ratings, and reviews intact.
If you’ve reviewed the policy and feel this removal may have been in
error, please reach out to our policy support team. One of my
colleagues will get back to you within 2 business days.
Thanks for helping us provide a clear and transparent experience for
Google Play users.
Regards,
Justin
The Google Play Team
I also had the exact same issue with one of my app and got same email because I hadn't included a privacy policy URL.
Now after I included the privacy policy URL and resubmitted the app from Store Listing, the app is now live after around 2 hours.
If you have already updated the privacy policy URL, make sure it is clear and it follows the Google's policies. Mention clearly that your app doesn't collect personally identifiable data.
I have an Android app that is currently in testing, with only a small handful of testers who are my family members.
I have been uploading APK's to my app's Alpha channel in the Google Play Store. This has been working fine for months. However, today, when I went to upload a new release to the Alpha channel, I got the following error:
The apk has permissions that require a privacy policy set for the app,
e.g: android.permission.GET_ACCOUNTS.
I do use the GET_ACCOUNTS permission, and do not have a privacy policy yet (since my only testers are family members), but I have been using that permission for a long time, have never had a privacy policy, and have not had a problem uploading my APK until now. I was able to upload it without a privacy policy as recently as April 9th, 2017.
Questions:
1) Why did this just start happening now?
2) Do I really need a privacy policy when my app is only in Alpha? It will be a while before my app is released to the public, and I need time to get it right.
Answers:
1) Why did this just start happening now?
Your question is related to several other posts from a couple of weeks ago. That's (15th of March, 17) when Google introduced new rules regarding the requesting of sensitive permissions. GET_ACCOUNTS is one of these sensitive permissions that trigger a privacy policy requirement from Google's side:
For apps that request access to sensitive permissions or data (as defined in the user data policies): You must link to a privacy policy on your app's store listing page and within your app. Make sure your privacy policy is available on an active URL, applies to your app, and specifically covers user privacy.
If you need more information:
Google documentation
How to fix Google Play Developer policy violation (iubenda)
2) Do I really need a privacy policy when my app is only in Alpha? It
will be a while before my app is released to the public, and I need
time to get it right.
Apparently Google chose to make these limitations as early as in the beta phase, probably choosing not to distinguish between those phases to get the developer accustomed early.
In any case, I applaud your determination to get the privacy policy right (and that can only be done towards the end of its development).
So why don't you just submit an initial version stating that the finished version will be available once the data collection practices are fully clear to you?
p.s. if you're up for using a tool for the creation of privacy policies, the company I work for and linked to in the above article (iubenda), does exactly that. :)
Google is now asking for a Privacy Policy for all Android apps that are requesting sensitive permissions from users.
Get accounts is a sensitive permission. Other permissions that will trigger the requirement of a Privacy Policy are: record audio, read phone state, camera, read contacts.
The deadline for adding a Privacy Policy to your app was March 15, 2017. Here's the email that Google sent out to developers:
As we mentioned in our article on this, you can fix this by either:
Adding a Privacy Policy to your Android app.
Login to your Google Play Developer Console > Select "All Applications" > Select your app > Click "Store Listing" > Paste the URL of your Privacy Policy at the "Privacy Policy" field.
Or stop requesting sensitive permissions from users.
Policy issue: Google Play requires developers to provide a valid privacy policy when the app requests or handles sensitive user or device information. Your app requests sensitive permissions (e.g. camera, microphone, accounts, contacts, or phone) or user data, but does not include a valid privacy policy.
this was change in google play policy they also issued notice for same, as i got mail regarding same to update privacy policy before 15th March 2017
here are the change privacy policy of play store
https://play.google.com/about/privacy-security/personal-sensitive/
as per i know last time on 15th April i uploaded app on Beta it's showing warning only but allowed me to upload
Google Play has notified me to publish a Privacy Policy for my app. I have created a website to host this information. I am planning to update the website link from the developer console shortly.
As per the new policy, Google is asking that we should also update our app to have a link to the privacy policy. Unfortunately I cannot do this anymore as I lost my keystore in a hard-disk crash. Is this step optional? Will Google Play allow my app to be listed with just a privacy policy website link in the Store listing, without the app itself not having the privacy policy details?
Thanks
Balaji
1) You absolutely need your privacy policy on the Play Store page PLUS within the app
This is what Google says:
If your app requests user data or makes sensitive permissions requests
such as Phone, Accounts, Contacts, Camera, or Microphone, you'll need
to add a valid privacy policy in two places: your app's Store Listing
page (instructions below) and within your app.
I'd also like to add some more insight why that is the case. If you are into privacy law theory, then I suggest you read this pdf by a Pan-European privacy body, otherwise I just suggest to read the summary here:
The essential scope of information about data processing 1) must be
available to the users before app installation, via the app store.
Secondly, the relevant information about the data processing 2) must
also be accessible from within the app, after installation.
You can see - in theory - this is absolutely requested and required and you should strive to get that done. Hope this helps. p.s. I work for a startup that helps with privacy policies. (link)
I get the following email from google play team:
Hello Google Play Developer,
Our records show that your app, XXXX , with package
name com.XXX.XXX, currently violates our User Data policy
regarding Personal and Sensitive Information.
Policy issue: Google Play requires developers to provide a valid
privacy policy when the app requests or handles sensitive user or
device information. Your app requests sensitive permissions (e.g.
camera, microphone, accounts, contacts, or phone) or user data, but
does not include a valid privacy policy.
Action required: Include a link to a valid privacy policy on your
app's Store Listing page and within your app. You can find more
information in our help center.
Alternatively, you may opt-out of this requirement by removing any
requests for sensitive permissions or user data.
If you have additional apps in your catalog, please make sure they are
compliant with our Prominent Disclosure requirements.
Please resolve this issue by March 15, 2017, or administrative action
will be taken to limit the visibility of your app, up to and including
removal from the Play Store. Thanks for helping us provide a clear and
transparent experience for Google Play users.
Regards,
The Google Play Team
What is the meaning of Valid Privacy Policy, I get away to add URL privacy policy to Store Listing from
Warning of Google Play Developer policy violation: Action Required
, but Is enough to add a link for privacy policy page on Store Listing ? Is play store accept any privacy policy URL? and how I can add valid policy to my app? because on another email from google play team, They Said I need to add a privacy policy in two places not just Store Listing:
If your app requests user data or makes sensitive permissions requests
such as Phone, Accounts, Contacts, Camera, or Microphone, you'll need
to add a valid privacy policy in two places: your app's Store Listing
page (instructions below) and within your app.
I think I'm qualified to give you a more detailed answer. I have two apps on the App Store (iOS) and I've worked on a mobile privacy policy generator for years. I'v e also recently written quite a few words about the above issue.
1) You absolutely need your privacy policy on the Play Store page PLUS within the app
This is what Google says:
If your app requests user data or makes sensitive permissions requests
such as Phone, Accounts, Contacts, Camera, or Microphone, you'll need
to add a valid privacy policy in two places: your app's Store Listing
page (instructions below) and within your app.
I'd also like to add some more insight why that is the case. If you are into privacy law theory, then I suggest you read this pdf by a Pan-European privacy body, otherwise I just suggest to read the summary here:
The essential scope of information about data processing 1) must be
available to the users before app installation, via the app store.
Secondly, the relevant information about the data processing 2) must
also be accessible from within the app, after installation.
And here is some bonus information Google doesn't talk about.
The Working Party recommends that information about personal data
processing is also available, and easy to locate, such as within the
app store 3) and preferably on the regular websites of the app
developer responsible for the app. It is unacceptable that the users
be placed in a position where they would have to search the web for
information on the app data processing policies instead of being
informed directly by the app developer or other data controller.
2) Adding a VALID privacy policy (link)
Now for the question of the vailidity of your privacy policy. You need to outline which sensitive permissions/user data you process and for what purpose.
I'm seeing a lot of advice saying that you just need to say that you access the camera but that isn't enough.
Say you access the camera
Say what purpose that serves
Say whatever else user data you process (name, email address, etc. etc)
This should help :)
Adding Privacy Policy to Web Site
Find a policy from an app. There are lots of apps that have privacy
policy in them. I, here, clearly state how
and why i use users permission and personal info.
If you have a web site put it your web site. If you don't have one
create one free from Google Sites.
Adding Privacy Policy to Application
There are 3 ways i've sen so far how it's displayed to users
Menu button on NavigationView.
Inside an AlertDialog after user accepted Runtime Permissions
Inside a section of Settings activity or fragment
You must also add Privacy Policy Url to your app as Google states. They don't check it for now, but if they do in the future, you can be sorry if you didn't. I add it to Navigation View and open url when user touches it.