This is how Google wants to protect children in the Google Play Store from now on
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Google wants to put an end to the news that brings out the weaknesses of its app store as far as the little ones are concerned. And it is that several owners have combined the concepts of videos for adults on YouTube Kids, and applications with adult content in applications that any child can use. Now things are going to change for developers, and also for the most concerned parents. Things get serious in the Google Play Store
From now on, developers or creators of applications will have to specify the target of their content That is, indicate if they are intended for children only, adults only, or both. And, of course, if they are aimed at children, they will have to meet a series of requirements that they have already specified on their website for developers. Issues that have to do with content adapted to children and special treatment of possible personal information that it controls.
Developers uploading a new app to the Google Play Store will need to spend a couple of minutes more specifying the target audience for their tool. And it is not only worth indicating if they are for children, but also the age range. In addition, the in your application will also have to pass newfamily filters from Google, thus avoiding some of the cases already given in the past.And, as if that were not enough, Google will require developers that their applications, if they are not aimed at children, do not have any marketing tool or claim that may be tempting for them. So they may be required to change, of any kind, if this practice is detected.
With all this, the Google Play Store categories would really be respected. And that a game classified as for children is really for children, without any content or filtering. Nor that developers take advantage of the (until now) freedom of the Google Play Store to sneak a game for adults as well as for children in order to reach the most popular ones through less orthodox waysAnd so, in the end, children should have their applications with their adapted content. As planned at the beginning.
When will it come into force
These measures of the Google Play Store seek to protect the little ones who have access to any Android platform in any way. Not just with content, making sure everything they get their hands on is filtered for them, but also improving the . And it is that there is little point in removing sexual content from an application if they end up receiving video game advertisements where the characters boast of wearing few clothes.
Starting today, Google will force developers to comply with its requirements and terms of use for families when they try to publish a new application.
For applications that are already published, Google gives until September 1st to update them and match them the new requirements. So if developers don't want to be reprimanded and see their apps disappear from the Google Play Store, they're going to have to take some action.
