You can find all the details of the latest changes to our policies, including the deadlines by which you must comply with them and additional resources, in our Policy Center.
We're updating the News policy to include both news and magazine apps, and expanding the self-declaration. All news and magazine apps will need to complete the updated self-declaration and will be notified in Play Console when it becomes available.
The Personal Loans policy will be updated to include line of credit apps.
Clarifications
Additionally, we've added clarifications to some of our existing policies. Because these changes aren't new or updated, our enforcement standards and practices remain the same. We're clarifying:
Allowed exceptions and examples of violations in the Manipulated Media policy.
The difference between personal loans and earned wage access loans in the Personal Loans policy.
A User Data violation example to align with OS-level privacy enhancements that have been introduced to Android. Specifically, Android ID is no longer regarded as a persistent device identifier.
Our User Data policy to provide examples of best practices for complying with data protection laws in your applicable jurisdictions as well as additional information around the EU-U.S., UK, and Swiss Data Privacy Frameworks.
Clearer guidance on restrictions related to financial apps accessing users' SMS history in compliance with our policies in our SMS/Call Log Permissions and Spyware help center articles.
The Enforcement Process policy with additional information regarding the closure of dormant accounts.
Reminders
Apps can now only access photos and videos for purposes directly related to app functionality as stated in our Photo and Video Permissions policy. Apps that require these permissions may request an extension and submit a declaration form in Play Console on the app content page by May 28, 2025.
Social and dating apps must now comply with the Child Safety Standards Policy, which requires self-certification on Play Console before publishing. Check out Tech Coalition's best practices for Combating Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) here.
Please review these policy updates carefully in case any of your apps are impacted. To learn more about how to comply with these changes:
