You’ll have at least 30 days from April 3, 2024 to update your app to comply with the policy changes below. For more details, go to the Policy Deadlines page.
New and updated policies
We’re introducing a Child Safety Standards policy requiring Social and Dating apps to follow specific standards and self-certify compliance on Play Console before publishing.
To enhance the visibility and management of health-related apps on Google Play, we’re introducing a Health Apps console declaration. Apps with health or medical-related features or functionality must attest to this on Play Console. Learn mor…
Read more Announcements
-
Policy announcement: April 3, 2024
-
Policy announcement: March 6, 2024
To comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulation, beginning March 6, 2024, we’re updating our Payments policy to allow developers to direct European Economic Area (EEA) users outside their app, including to promote offers for in-app digital features and services, subject to program requirements. Additionally, we’re expanding our alternative billing programs for EEA users to include more eligible device types and app categories. Learn more In addition to these policy updates, we're publishing our general conditions of access for Google Play in the EEA for developers offering apps to user…Read more -
Policy announcement: October 25, 2023
You’ll have at least 30 days from October 25, 2023 to comply with the following policy changes, unless noted otherwise below. For deadlines and resources, go to the Policy Deadlines page. New and updated policies To help ensure generative AI apps are safe for users, we’re reminding developers that all genAI apps must comply with our policies. We’re also requiring that certain genAI apps have user reporting or flagging features. For a more privacy preserving experience for users, we’re introducing the Photo and Video Permissions policy to reduce the number of apps permitted to request broad pho…Read more -
Policy announcement: July 12, 2023
New policies To give developers more control over where their apps appear, we’re updating our Device and Network Abuse policy to state that all apps running On-device Android Containers, which simulate all or portions of the Android OS, must respect the new REQUIRE_SECURE_ENV flag. Apps can add this flag to their manifest to indicate they don't want to be run in an On-device Android Container. We’re introducing the Blockchain-based content policy that states developers must complete a declaration for apps that enable users to transact blockchain-based digital content. Additional requirements a…Read more -
Keeping Google Play safe for users and developers: June 29, 2023
We’re committed to making Google Play a safe and trusted experience for everyone. With over 2 million apps available on Google Play, we’re continually working on improvements to our app review process, policies, and programs to keep users safe and help developers navigate our policies with ease. This includes: Machine learning detection: We use machine learning to scan apps for policy violations to help us find harmful apps at scale, so we can keep Google Play trustworthy for everyone. Human review: We have teams of human reviewers who manually review apps for policy violations to make sure th…Read more -
Policy announcement: April 5, 2023
New policies To give users more control over their data, we're introducing a new account deletion requirement under our User Data policy. If your app allows users to create an account, then it must also allow users to request for their account to be deleted in the app and through a web resource. All developers must also update their Data safety form in Play Console, where some information may be displayed on your app’s Data safety section on Google Play. Learn more in our Help Center and blog. We’re adding new guidelines to our Device and Network Abuse policy: For apps targeting Android 14 and…Read more -
Policy announcement: February 22, 2023
We’re updating Google Play’s Payments policy to respond to the recent regulatory developments in India. Developers can offer an alternative billing system alongside Google Play’s billing system to users in India making in-app purchases within Play-distributed apps on mobile phones and tablets.Read more -
Policy announcement: December 14, 2022
New clarification We've added clarifications to our Target API Level policy. Because this is a clarification, our enforcement standards and practices for this policy remain the same. We’re noting exceptions to the Target API Level policy, which can be found in our updated Help Center article. These exceptions include permanently private apps and apps that target automotive or wearables form factors and are bundled within the same package.Read more -
Policy announcement: November 16, 2022
Policy updates We’re introducing additional requirements for personal loan apps targeting users in Nigeria and Kenya. Personal loan apps in these two countries must complete declaration forms and submit documentation for our review in order to remain or publish new personal loan apps on Google Play. We’re updating our Deceptive Ads policy to state that ads must not simulate or impersonate the user interface of any app features. We’re updating our Families Self-Certified Ads SDK policy to require developers with apps in the Families Program to only use self-certified versions of SDKs when servi…Read more -
Policy announcement: November 2, 2022
↵ Policy clarification We’ve moved details about Other Real-Money Game Pilots from our Real-Money Gambling, Games, and Contests Policy to our Help Center.Read more -
Policy announcement: September 7, 2022
Policy update We’re conducting a limited-time pilot enabling distribution of Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and Rummy apps to users in India by developers incorporated in India.Read more -
Policy announcement: July 27, 2022
Upcoming new policies We’re adding new guidelines to our Ads policy to improve the in-app user experience and to prohibit unexpected interstitial ads, inspired by the Better Ads Standards - Mobile Apps Experiences guidelines. We’re introducing new requirements for the FLAG_SECURE declaration under our Device and Network Abuse policy stating that all apps must respect the FLAG_SECURE declaration and must not facilitate or create workarounds to bypass the FLAG_SECURE settings in other apps. We’re introducing new requirements under our Permissions policy to state that all apps must have acceptabl…Read more -
Policy announcement: May 11, 2022
Upcoming new policy We’re introducing the Health Connect by Android Permissions policy to help Android users securely store health and fitness data on their phone, and give them a simple way to connect and share this data with their favorite apps. Learn more Policy update We’re updating the User Data policy to include Health Connect data as a type of personal and sensitive user data.Read more -
Policy announcement: April 6, 2022
Upcoming new policies We’re updating our Families policy to explain that if an app contains content that is not globally appropriate, we may make the app available only to users in regions where content within that app is deemed appropriate. We're introducing a limited-time pilot for Online Crane Games to be distributed on the Google Play store to users in Japan only. Learn more. We’re introducing the Request Install Packages Permission policy to explain which permitted functionalities and actions are allowed for the permission. To provide users with a safe and secure experience, we are expand…Read more -
Policy announcement: December 15, 2021
Policy update We’re clarifying our Subscriptions policy to state that subscriptions must provide sustained or recurring value to users throughout the life of the subscription, and may not be used to offer what are effectively one-time benefits to users.Read more -
Policy announcement: November 18, 2021
Policy update We’re updating Google Play’s Payments policy to respond to the new regulations in South Korea. Developers can now accept payments for in-app purchases from mobile and tablet users in South Korea with an alternative in-app billing system in addition to Google Play’s billing system.Read more -
Policy announcement: October 27, 2021
Policy updates We’re updating the Inappropriate Content policy to prohibit apps published by or related to dangerous organizations and movements that are connected to violence against civilians. We’re updating our Enforcement Process to include the ability to limit the regions in which your app is available to users through Google Play. We’re updating our Sexual Content policy to explain that we may make an app available only to users in regions where the sexual content within that app is deemed appropriate. Upcoming new policies We're adding a hostile downloader section to our Mobile Unwanted…Read more -
Policy announcement: July 28, 2021
Upcoming new policies We're offering a developer preview of app set ID for essential use cases such as analytics or fraud prevention. App set ID cannot be used for ads personalization or ads measurement. We’re adding new restrictions in our Families Policy Requirements on identifiers used in apps that target children. Developers need to comply by September 1, 2021 except for Ad ID changes. For Ad ID, developers have until April 1, 2022 to comply. We’re adding a new section in our Enforcement policy to close inactive or abandoned developer accounts after 1 year of dormancy and additional factor…Read more -
Policy announcement: March 31, 2021
Policy updates and clarifications We're updating the All Files Access Permission policy for apps that target Android 11+ and need to access external storage so that users have more access control over their device storage. We're adding regional updates for Real-Money Gambling countries, and are adding clarifications to the Gamified Loyalty program policy requirements. We’re updating the Sexual Content and Profanity policy with additional examples of prohibited apps. Additionally, we’ve added new clarifications and examples to some of our policies. Please note that these aren’t new policies and…Read more -
Policy announcement: November 11, 2020
We’re adding information regarding the acceptable use of SMS and Call log data for business CRM apps and default handlers. If you want to make changes to your apps in accordance with these revised guidelines, you can do so starting today. [Current policy | Upcoming policy - effective December 16, 2020] We’re updating our Policy Coverage section with additional clarity on apps that may pose a high risk of abuse. [Current policy | Upcoming policy - effective December 16, 2020] We're updating our User Data policy to align with changes to the Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement to reflect…Read more -
Policy announcement: September 28, 2020
We’re updating our Payments policy policy to clarify when Google Play’s billing system should be used for in-app purchases. This clarification is important to increase user protections across Play-distributed apps and makes the policy easier to understand. Any existing app that is currently using an alternative billing system will need to remove it to comply with this update. For those apps, we are offering an extended grace period until September 30, 2021 to make any required changes. New apps submitted after January 20, 2021 will need to be in compliance. To view additional information about…Read more -
Policy announcement: September 16, 2020
We’re updating our Misrepresentation policy to clarify that developers and apps taking part in coordinated activity that misrepresents or conceals the origin of an app or content are a violation of Google Play policy. We’re updating our Gambling Apps policy to allow a government-published real money gambling app in Brazil. In addition, we’re correcting a typo in our Stalkerware policy. All apps will have until October 1, 2020 to comply with this correction.Read more -
Policy announcement: July 8, 2020
We’ve introduced new policies and policy updates that need your attention. All new and existing apps will receive a grace period of at least 30 days from the issuance of this notification (unless otherwise stated) to comply with these changes. Here’s a summary of all the changes: We've introduced new requirements for apps requesting broad access to device storage, including an appropriate access and declaration review process for R-targeted apps. We’ve launched a News policy to highlight requirements for News Apps published on Google Play. Visit the Help Center for more detailed information on…Read more -
Policy announcement: April 16, 2020
Various updates as outlined below: We've updated our Deceptive Behavior policies to emphasize functionally deceptive apps and our requirement to provide accurate disclosures and metadata. We've updated our Malicious Behavior policies to introduce a user notification requirement prior to apps beginning large resource file downloads. We've introduced a Manipulated Media policy for apps that spread or created altered media. We've updated our Malware policy. Visit the Google Play Protect site for additional information about enforcement and reporting malware. We've updated our Subscriptions policy…Read more -
Policy announcement: January 28, 2020
We’re updating our Real-Money Gambling, Games, and Contests policy so more developers around the world can build sustainable businesses, and in a way that helps keep consumers safe. Here's a summary of all the changes: We’re expanding the number of countries in which developers can publish licensed real money gambling apps to include: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the United States (in addition to the existing permitted countries: Brazil, Ireland, France, and the United Kingdom). We’re introducin…Read more -
Policy announcement: November 2019
We've clarified our Misleading Claims policy to highlight the prohibition of any disinformation or deception around medical, health-related and government services apps. We've updated our Metadata policy to ensure developers create better descriptions and titles that accurately represent their app. We've updated our Ad Network Certification policy to provide further clarification on ad SDK requirements. We've updated our Monetization and Ads policy on in-app virtual currencies. We've updated our Spam and Minimum Functionality policies to set higher quality standards for applications on Google …Read more -
Policy announcement: August 2019
We've updated our Device and Network Abuse policy with an additional example addressing apps that facilitate proxy services to third parties. We've expanded our Financial Services policy to protect users from deceptive and exploitative personal loan terms. We've clarified our Misleading Claims policy with an additional example regarding demonstrably deceptive content that may interfere with voting processes.Read more -
Policy announcement: May 2019
We've introduced a new Families policy and updated our Designed for Families program policy. We've introduced a new Ad Network Certification policy for apps that serve ads to children. We've updated our Inappropriate Content policies to clarify our existing Sexual Content and Hate Speech policies and introduce new policies on Marijuana, Tobacco and Alcohol. We've updated our Payments policy to introduce a requirement to disclose odds for lootboxes. We have updated our Gambling policy with additional examples. We've clarified our User Generated Content policy to explicitly prohibit monetization…Read more -
Policy announcement: January 2019
We've introduced a new policy that prohibits the promotion and sale of Unapproved Substances. We've added examples to better clarify our Sensitive Events and Bullying and Harassment policies.Read more -
Policy announcement: October 2018
We've clarified our Malicious Behavior policy prohibiting surveillance and commercial spyware apps. We've clarified our Design for Families program requirements and Primarily Child-Directed Declaration guidelines to prohibit misrepresentation of the participating apps and their target age group. We've updated our User Data and Permissions policies for more clarity and coverage; including to restrict Call Log and SMS permission usage. We are also removing user information available on the Contacts Provider; to learn more click here. We've updated our Enforcement section to explain the extent of…Read more -
Policy announcement: July 2018
We've clarified our Child Endangerment policy to emphasize the prohibition of adult themes in apps that appeal to children. We’ve introduced a new policy that prohibits any sale of Dangerous Products, including firearms, explosives, etc. Our Violence policy has also been updated accordingly. We've introduced a new policy on Cryptocurrency mining in our Financial Instruments section. We've clarified our Spam policies to explicitly prohibit repetitive content on our platform. We also don’t allow apps whose primary purpose is to serve ads. We've introduced a new policy on misrepresentation in our…Read more -
Policy announcement: April 2018
We've clarified a few of our Restricted Content policies (Child Endangerment, Hate Speech, Violence, User Generated Content) to help ensure a safe user experience. We've introduced a new policy on Binary Options. We've shared new requirements for Daily Fantasy Sports apps. We've introduced new guidelines on Dishonest Behavior in our Deceptive Behavior policy section. We've clarified our standards on Malicious Behavior with some new examples. We've clarified our high-level policy on App Metadata. We've updated our eligibility criteria and common violations for Designed for Families program to c…Read more -
Policy announcement: November 2017
We’ve updated our guidance for apps that seek to monetize the lockscreen. We’ve updated our content rating guidelines for unrated apps. We’ve clarified the program requirements for Designed for Families.Read more -
Policy announcement: October 2017
↵ We’ve more clearly defined the geographical restrictions for our gambling policy. We’ve provided clarity on baseline functionality that must be present for apps on Google Play. We’ve identified certain guide app behavior that will preclude publication on Google Play. We’ve taken additional steps to protect users by limiting how and when developers can make permission requests.Read more -
Policy announcement: August 2017
We’ve introduced new policies on gambling apps, which are currently permitted only in the UK, Ireland, and France. We’ve clarified our User Data policy to provide detailed guidance on prominent disclosure. We’re now hosting ;Android Instant Apps policies in a new category dedicated to other Android programs. We’re now hosting content rating guidelines under our Store Listing and Promotion category.Read more -
Policy announcement: June 2017
We have introduced new guidelines on data protection as required by the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield.Read more -
Policy announcement: May 2017
We’ve revised our Malicious Behavior policy to clarify our position on downloading executable code. We've updated our Ratings, Reviews, and Installs policy to further clarify our position on incentivized installs. We’ve published additional policy requirements for the distribution of Android Instant Apps via Google Play. We are sharing 10 tips to help you stay on the right side of Google Play policy. Enjoy the video!Read more -
Policy announcement: April 2017
We’ve clarified the program requirements for Designed for Families and added eligibility criteria for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality apps. We’ve introduced a Child-Directed Declaration policy that requires developers to declare whether their app is primarily child-directed in the Play Console.Read more -
Policy announcement: October 2016
Updated the example section in the Metadata policy for clarity.Read more -
Policy announcement: July 2016
Addition of a Google Play Families Program policy tile to the Policy Center. We’ve clarified our Privacy and Security policies to help developers better determine when privacy disclosure is required, and where such disclosure should be available to users. We've updated our Restricted Content policies to further clarify our stance on sexually explicit services. We’ve updated our gambling ad policies to share the requirements a developer must adhere to when displaying gambling ads in Play. We’re introducing a User Generated Content policy that outlines minimum safety feature requirements. We’ve …Read more -
Policy announcement: May 2016
Updated the Payments section with information about Android Pay.Read more -
Policy announcement: March 2016
We've updated the requirements under the Ads policy to prohibit inappropriate ads. We've introduced requirements under the Device and Network Abuse policy regarding Doze and App Standby. We've introduced requirements under the Ads policy regarding ads that interfere with system functionality. We've clarified the existing requirements under the User Data policy. We've launched a new Developer Policy Center.Read more