Google Play Strengthens Regulations for Android App Developers, Introduces Mandatory Testing and Enhanced Review Processes
In an effort to ensure the integrity and security of the Google Play store, Google has announced significant updates to its policies for Android developers. These changes are part of a broader initiative to keep low-quality and unsafe apps off users' devices, aligning with recent measures such as the introduction of real-time app scanning to combat malicious applications.
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Starting soon, Google will mandate that new Android developers with personal accounts conduct rigorous testing of their apps, involving a minimum of 20 individuals, for a period of at least 2 weeks before publication. Additionally, the company plans to boost its investment in the app review processes, cautioning that some apps may experience slower approval times during the implementation of these changes.
Google emphasizes that developers utilizing its testing tools experience, on average, three times the number of app installs and user engagement. While this may be attributed to developers creating higher-quality applications, Google is now making app testing obligatory for developers with newly created Play Console accounts.
The timeframe for the mandatory testing requirement is yet to be specified, but Google assures that new developers with individual accounts will be obligated to test their apps with a minimum of 20 users for at least two weeks before publishing to production. This move is aimed at helping developers identify and rectify issues and bugs, as well as gather user feedback before the official launch.
In addition to these changes, Google plans to invest more resources in its app review process, aiming to increase its stringency and ensure policy compliance. This decision comes in the wake of incidents in India, where predatory lending apps targeted financially insecure consumers. Google acknowledges the potential impact on app review times, particularly for apps requiring specific device permissions or those designed for children.
Moreover, Google will introduce more granular permission flow options with the launch of Android 14, allowing developers to request access to select photos or videos rather than the entire gallery. Developers will also have the flexibility to choose their preferred deadline for meeting stricter verification requirements associated with publishing on Google Play.
As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance user experience, Google will provide more information about app compatibility with users' devices and introduce a badge identifying official government apps, starting in 2024.
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