Inappropriate Content

To ensure that Google Play remains a safe and respectful platform, we've created standards defining and prohibiting content that is harmful or inappropriate for our users.

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Sexual content and profanity

We don't allow apps that contain or promote sexual content or profanity, including pornography, or any content or services intended to be sexually gratifying. We don’t allow apps or app content that appear to promote or solicit a sexual act in exchange for compensation. We don’t allow apps that contain or promote content associated with sexually predatory behaviour, or distribute non-consensual sexual content. Content that contains nudity may be allowed if the primary purpose is educational, documentary, scientific or artistic, and is not gratuitous.

If an app contains content that violates this policy but that content is deemed appropriate in a particular region, the app may be available to users in that region, but will remain unavailable to users in other regions.

Examples of common violations
  • Depictions of sexual nudity, or sexually suggestive poses in which the subject is nude, blurred or minimally clothed, and/or where the clothing would not be acceptable in an appropriate public context.
  • Depictions, animations or illustrations of sex acts, or sexually suggestive poses or the sexual depiction of body parts.
  • Content that depicts or are functionally sexual aids, sex guides, illegal sexual themes and fetishes.
  • Content that is lewd or profane – including but not limited to content which may contain profanity, slurs, explicit text or adult/sexual keywords in the store listing or in-app.
  • Content that depicts, describes or encourages bestiality.
  • Apps that promote sex-related entertainment, escort services or other services that may be interpreted as providing or soliciting sexual acts in exchange for compensation, including, but not limited to compensated dating or sexual arrangements where one participant is expected or implied to provide money, gifts or financial support to another participant ('sugar dating').
  • Apps that degrade or objectify people, such as apps that claim to undress people or see through clothing, even if labelled as prank or entertainment apps. 
  •  Content or behaviour that attempts to threaten or exploit people in a sexual manner, such as creepshots, hidden camera, non-consensual sexual content created via deepfake or similar technology or assault content.

 

Hate speech

We don't allow apps that promote violence or incite hatred against individuals or groups based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, nationality, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, caste, immigration status or any other characteristic that is associated with systemic discrimination or marginalisation.

Apps that contain EDSA (educational, documentary, scientific or artistic) content related to Nazis may be blocked in certain countries, in accordance with local laws and regulations.

Examples of common violations
  • Content or speech asserting that a protected group is inhuman, inferior or worthy of being hated.
  • Apps that contain hateful slurs, stereotypes or theories about a protected group possessing negative characteristics (for example, malicious, corrupt, evil, etc.), or that explicitly or implicitly claim that the group is a threat.
  • Content or speech trying to encourage others to believe that people should be hated or discriminated against because they are a member of a protected group.
  • Content that promotes hate symbols such as flags, symbols, insignias, paraphernalia or behaviours associated with hate groups.

 

Violence

We don't allow apps that depict or facilitate gratuitous violence or other dangerous activities. Apps that depict fictional violence in the context of a game, such as cartoons, hunting or fishing, are generally allowed. 
 

Examples of common violations
  • Graphic depictions or descriptions of realistic violence or violent threats to any person or animal.
  • Apps that promote self harm, suicide, eating disorders, choking games, or other acts where serious injury or death may result.

Terrorist content

We don't permit terrorist organisations to publish apps on Google Play for any purpose, including recruitment.

We don't allow apps with content related to terrorism, such as content that promotes terrorist acts, incites violence or celebrates terrorist attacks. If posting content related to terrorism for an educational, documentary, scientific or artistic purpose, be mindful to provide relevant EDSA context.

Dangerous organisations and movements

We do not permit movements or organisations that have engaged in, prepared for or claimed responsibility for acts of violence against civilians to publish apps on Google Play for any purpose, including recruitment. 

We don’t allow apps with content related to planning, preparing or glorifying violence against civilians. If your app includes such content for an EDSA purpose, that content must be provided alongside the relevant EDSA context.

 

Sensitive events

We don't allow apps that capitalise on or are insensitive towards a sensitive event with significant social, cultural or political impact, such as civil emergencies, natural disasters, public health emergencies, conflicts, deaths or other tragic events. Apps with content related to a sensitive event are generally allowed if that content has EDSA (educational, documentary, scientific or artistic) value or intends to alert users to or raise awareness for the sensitive event. 

Examples of violations
  • Lacking sensitivity regarding the death of a real person or group of people due to suicide, overdose, natural causes, etc.
  • Denying the occurrence of a well-documented, major tragic event.
  • Appearing to profit from a sensitive event with no discernible benefit to the victims.

 

Bullying and harassment

We don't allow apps that contain or facilitate threats, harassment or bullying.

Examples of common violations
  • Bullying victims of international or religious conflicts.
  • Content that seeks to exploit others, including extortion, blackmail, etc.
  • Posting content in order to humiliate someone publicly.
  • Harassing victims, or their friends and families, of a tragic event.

 

Dangerous products

We don't allow apps that facilitate the sale of explosives, firearms, ammunition or certain firearms accessories.

  • Restricted accessories include those that enable a firearm to simulate automatic fire or convert a firearm to automatic fire (for example, bump stocks, gatling triggers, drop-in auto sears, conversion kits), and magazines or belts carrying more than 30 rounds.

We don't allow apps that provide instructions for the manufacture of explosives, firearms, ammunition, restricted firearm accessories or other weapons. This includes instructions on how to convert a firearm to automatic, or simulated automatic, firing capabilities.

 

Marijuana

We don't allow apps that facilitate the sale of marijuana or marijuana products, regardless of legality.

Examples of common violations
  • Allowing users to order marijuana through an in-app shopping basket feature.
  • Assisting users in arranging delivery or collection of marijuana.
  • Facilitating the sale of products containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), including products such as CBD oils containing THC.

 

Tobacco and alcohol

We don't allow apps that facilitate the sale of tobacco (including e-cigarettes and vape pens) or encourage the illegal or inappropriate use of alcohol or tobacco.

Additional information
  • Depicting or encouraging the use or sale of alcohol or tobacco to minors is not allowed.
  • Implying that consuming tobacco can improve social, sexual, professional, intellectual or athletic standing is not allowed.
  • Portraying excessive drinking favourably, including the favourable portrayal of excessive, binge or competition drinking is not allowed.
  • Advertisements, promotions or the prominent feature of tobacco products (including ads, banners, categories and links to tobacco-selling sites) are not allowed.
  • We may allow the limited sale of tobacco products in food/grocery delivery apps, in certain regions, and subject to age-gating safeguards (such as ID check at delivery).

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