Google announces that App Developers must Allow Users Ability to Delete Accounts and Data

Google has announced that they will be requiring app developers to create controls for users to delete their accounts and data, either in the app or via the web. The announcement said developers must be ready to comply with these new rules by May 31, 2024.

This means that developers must not only offer the option of deleting your account and data inside the app itself, but they must also make account and data deletion an option for users via the web too. This would allow users the ability to delete their account, (and data), without having to re-download an app they may have already deleted. To accomplish this, Google will require the developer to link to a data deletion request form on the app’s Google Play Store listing page.

The new data deletion information will be located in a more prominent location as well, as a badge in the app’s data safety section.

As Android users are beginning to feel increasingly concerned about the privacy of their data, the move toward safer data regulations is meant to build consumer trust, according to Google.

A recent survey showed that 49% of Android users have considered switching to an iPhone because of security and privacy concerns. Apple has required apps to ask users permission first before they are allowed to share or track user data, a much safer user experience than is currently being implemented on Android devices.

iPhone have overtaken Android recently for the first time in over ten years, so Google’s new data privacy regulations seem like a necessary, and much needed step in the right direction.

Story via CNET