The Data safety section on Google Play is a simple way for you to help people understand what user data your app collects or shares, as well as showcase your app’s critical privacy and security practices. This information helps users make more informed choices when installing apps. 

Back in May 2021, Google confirmed that they would be adding a new #Datasafety section to the play store. The company has now confirmed the rollout of the new section via an official blog post. The post adds that Google has been trying to improve safety for Android users across the board with several key measures. For instance, when an app asks for key permissions such as location or camera access, users can limit this to just one-time use, only while using the app, or all the time. On Android 12, users can go to the Android Privacy dashboard to review data access by apps for sensitive data permissions. 

Android apps in the Play Store must list (“Collected Data”) what data is being stored and for what purpose. In turn, users can “see whether the app needs this data to function or if this data collection is optional.” Developers also have to identify (“Data shared”) whether that information is being communicated with third parties, as well as the security/handling practices (e.g., in-transit data encryption) of their applications and whether end users can easily ask for their data to be deleted. 

Other information that can appear in the section includes: 

• Whether a qualifying app has committed to following Google Play’s Families Policy to protect children in the Play Store better. 
• Whether the developer has validated their security practices against a global security standard (more specifically, the MASVS). 
•  Whether the developer is collecting data and for what purpose. 
•  Whether the developer is sharing data with third parties. 
• The app’s security practices, like encryption of data in transit and whether users can ask for data to be deleted. 
• Whether a qualifying app has committed to following Google Play’s Families Policy to protect children in the Play Store better. 
• Whether the developer has validated their security practices against a global security standard. 

Google’s policy makes it mandatory for developers to give accurate information, and any misinterpretation of data will be treated as a violation of Google Play policy, meaning that an app may be taken down from the Google play store if it does not adequately or accurately disclose the data it is collecting and how it will use it.  

The safety section will also show users what data sharing is mandatory and what is optional. App developers must fill out a Data Safety form by going into the app content section in the Google Play Console. Google says even apps that don’t collect user data must submit the form.