Google Play Store may remove app permissions overview in favor of new data security information

In May of last year, Google introduced a new section on data security for apps published on the Play Store. A feature that started appearing on actual app lists in April of this year and will be mandatory for all apps shortly (July 20). Now the data security information sections have started appearing on the real-time app lists on the store and there is something a little worrying about. That is to say that the new information window seems to take the place of the app permissions overview that all apps on the Play Store had.

The new section on data security in the Google Play Store

If that sounds a bit confusing, here’s why you should care. Each app listed in the Play Store traditionally has an overview of the Android OS permissions it requires from the system. Things ranging from benign and obvious things like network access to potentially much more troublesome and sensitive things like accessing contacts, phone file system or location data. This list is automatically generated by Google by scanning a developer’s app files upon submission to the store. Therefore, nothing can be omitted and not disclosed to the user intentionally or otherwise.

On the other hand, the new section on data security is fully populated by the developer. Google has an interface in its Play Store developer console that lists a variety of types of personal data and devices that the developer needs to review and disclose if and how they are handled by their app. For example, the questionnaire could ask if our GSMArena app, for example, accesses your location and your personal data (which, among other things, it does not have) and therefore, if so, how this data is managed and if they are shared with third parties or not. This is entirely left to the “honor system”, so to speak, with Google simply outlining in its guidelines that providing false data could result in some form of punishment.

The new section on data security in the Google Play Store

So while we’re all in favor of new data security information, it’s not hard to see why putting it on Play Store lists instead of app permissions overview isn’t ideal practice. At the moment, this is exactly what appears to be happening. Of course, there is still time to fine-tune this behavior and leave both data in place. Or maybe we’re wrong here and users don’t care much about permissions? Tell us in the comments what your opinions are on this.