News > Internet & Security Google to Add Transparency Into How Apps Use Data Prioritizing data privacy By Allison Murray Allison Murray Twitter Tech News Reporter Southern Illinois University Allison reports on all things tech. She's a news junky that keeps her eye on the latest trends. Allison is a writer working out of Chicago, IL, with her only coworker: her cat Norbert. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 7, 2021 12:47PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Twitter University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Internet & Security Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Google plans to give Android users greater insight into how their smartphone apps use their personal data. In a blog post published Thursday, the tech giant wrote that a new safety section within Google Play would provide more transparency into the data that apps collect and share. Tomohiro Ohsumi / Stringer Google said the new safety section would make developers disclose what type of data is collected and stored within their apps and how that data is used (i.e., for app functionality or personalization). The company said examples of personal data include user location, photos and videos, personal information, contacts, and more. All apps in the Google Play store, including Google-owned apps, will be required to share their data details under the new policy. The company said developers or apps that don’t provide accurate information would have to fix it and/or be subject to policy enforcement. However, Google is giving developers some time to adapt to the new transparency rules. The tech giant said it wouldn't require new app submissions and app updates to provide data information until spring 2022. Android users can expect to start seeing the safety section on Google Play by the beginning of 2022. All apps on the Google Play store, including Google-owned apps, will be required to share their data details under the new policy. Google seems to be prioritizing app privacy lately. Last month, the company introduced a new policy that makes it more difficult for certain apps to access other apps’ info on your smartphone. Apps on the Google Play store have to give an acceptable reason to access the info regarding other apps on a user's phone. Permitted reasons include "device search, antivirus apps, file managers, and browsers," according to the new policy. Google isn't the only one prioritizing app safety. Apple recently introduced the App Tracking Transparency feature in the iOS 14.5 update, allowing users to turn on and off the ability for apps to track you behind the scenes. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Thank you for signing up! Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit