Google has announced that it will ban Android apps offering personal loans from accessing users' sensitive data, such as photos and contacts. This move is aimed at preventing debt collectors from harassing borrowers by using their personal information.
Starting from the end of May 2023, Google Play apps providing personal loans will not be allowed to access the handset's external storage, photos and videos, contacts, precise location, and call logs. The policy update also states that financial products and services related to the management or investment of money and cryptocurrencies, including personalized advice, must comply with state and local regulations for any region or country that the app targets.
This decision comes after reports of debt collectors using information such as contacts to harass borrowers. In Kenya, Google has removed hundreds of loan apps from the Play Store, while in India, more than 2000 apps had to be taken down following alerts from law enforcement and central banks.
Google's move to protect users' sensitive data is a step towards ensuring that financial products and services comply with local laws and regulations. It is important for developers to be aware of these policies and ensure that their apps adhere to them, especially if they target users in different regions or countries.
By implementing this policy update, Google is taking a proactive stance in protecting its users from potential harm caused by the misuse of their personal information. It is also sending a message to developers that the company will not tolerate any violation of its policies, particularly those related to user privacy and security.
