Google is Also Coming Up With Labels for Apps About Collecting Data

Google is following Apple and will make privacy labels mandatory for apps for its Android mobile operating system.

In order to be included in the Google Play Store, apps must make it clear in the course of this year about which data on the mobile phone or tablet they want and why. Software makers must also indicate what kind of data they collect.

Apple introduced the privacy labels at the end of last year. A group of 27 international consumer regulators, including the Dutch Authority for Consumers & Markets, urged Google to introduce the labels as well.

They believe that the labels allow consumers to consider the use of their data when choosing certain apps. Software makers would also compete on ‘favourable privacy conditions’.