Violation of the Personal and Sensitive Information and Usage of Android Advertising ID Policies
Issue: Violation of the Personal and Sensitive Information and Usage of Android Advertising ID Policies
We have determined that your app uses a permanent device identifier and does not prominently disclose this practice. If your app collects and transmits personal or sensitive user data unrelated to functionality described prominently in the app’s listing on Google Play or in the app interface, then prior to the collection and transmission, it must prominently highlight how the user data will be used and have the user provide affirmative consent for such use.
Any advertising identifier must not be connected to personally-identifiable information or associated with any persistent device identifier (for example: SSAID, MAC address, IMEI, etc.) without explicit consent of the user.
Google Explains how to correct but not sure i understand.
Comments
Next steps: Submit your app for another review
- or-
If approved, your app will again be available with all installs, ratings, and reviews intact.
If you’ve reviewed the policy and feel this removal may have been in error, please reach out to our policy support team. One of my colleagues will get back to you within 2 business days.
Website activities could be an issue of you require logins, signups etc.
More details:
http://support.andromo.com/kb/common-questions/eu-user-consent-privacy-policy
Better to be on the safe side and just do everything they ask. Privacy Policy link in Google Play, plus in your app to mention the things listed above. The License Agreement requires the user to click “Accept” (affirmative consent) which is the most strict. The “Launch Notice” does not (implied consent).
I agree that it’s ridiculous as every app out there has ads, analytics, crash reporting, web cookies, etc. It’s not possible for apps to exist without these things and everyone knows it, but I guess Google is taking some heat and passing it around...
in in the end, it’s their sandbox, for better or for worse. Only option is to roll with it and do what they say.
Let us know how it goes.
We’ve only had 2 reports of this in support today, and for certain we know one person last updated their apps in January 2018... those would certainly be offside no matter what. That’s why we actually emailed all subscribers to give them a heads up about GDPR, but things can get ignored when you’re busy for sure.
Also, are you using any ad networks other than AdMob?
Still good advice to follow the steps above as well.
also, just curious, but are you running any ad networks other than AdMob?
@wallpaper
thanks for the input guys, i really appreciate it.
They are all very different: some had youtube activity, some had a website activity, some had audio or radio activities etc.). The only thing they all had in common was that none of them had a Privacy Policy URL listed in "Store Listings" inside the google play account.
Similar apps with a privacy policy URL in place have not been effected.
Maybe you want to check into this.
Also is it Ok if instead of putting the whole privacy policy, we link to the same url that we got in the listing?
Edit: It appears that those 2 apps just didn't have the link to my privacy policy in the Store Listing. Hopefully that is really all that is required.
Try edit this one http://myappterms.com/reader.php?id=1
At least that's what I do.
Privacy Policy
....... built the [ application ] app as a Free app. This SERVICE is provided by ....... at no cost and is intended for use as is.
This page is used to inform visitors regarding my policies with the collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Information if anyone decided to use my Service.
If you choose to use my Service, then you agree to the collection and use of information in relation to this policy. The Personal Information that I collect is used for providing and improving the Service. I will not use or share your information with anyone except as described in this Privacy Policy.
The terms used in this Privacy Policy have the same meanings as in our Terms and Conditions, which is accessible at [application ] unless otherwise defined in this Privacy Policy.
Information Collection and Use
For a better experience, while using our Service, I may require you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information. The information that I request will be retained on your device and is not collected by me in any way.
The app does use third party services that may collect information used to identify you.
Link to privacy policy of third party service providers used by the app
Log Data
I want to inform you that whenever you use my Service, in a case of an error in the app I collect data and information (through third party products) on your phone called Log Data. This Log Data may include information such as your device Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, device name, operating system version, the configuration of the app when utilizing my Service, the time and date of your use of the Service, and other statistics.
This app shows ads that use the Android Advertising ID to deliver their ads to you .
Cookies
Cookies are files with a small amount of data that are commonly used as anonymous unique identifiers. These are sent to your browser from the websites that you visit and are stored on your device's internal memory.
This Service does not use these “cookies” explicitly. However, the app may use third party code and libraries that use “cookies” to collect information and improve their services. You have the option to either accept or refuse these cookies and know when a cookie is being sent to your device. If you choose to refuse our cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of this Service.
Service Providers
I may employ third-party companies and individuals due to the following reasons:
I want to inform users of this Service that these third parties have access to your Personal Information. The reason is to perform the tasks assigned to them on our behalf. However, they are obligated not to disclose or use the information for any other purpose.
Security
I value your trust in providing us your Personal Information, thus we are striving to use commercially acceptable means of protecting it. But remember that no method of transmission over the internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure and reliable, and I cannot guarantee its absolute security.
Links to Other Sites
This Service may contain links to other sites. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that site. Note that these external sites are not operated by me. Therefore, I strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of these websites. I have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.
Children’s Privacy
These Services do not address anyone under the age of 13. I do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13. In the case I discover that a child under 13 has provided me with personal information, I immediately delete this from our servers. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact me so that I will be able to do necessary actions.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
I may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. Thus, you are advised to review this page periodically for any changes. I will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. These changes are effective immediately after they are posted on this page.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or suggestions about my Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact me.
Just to give you all an update, i was able to very easily get my removed apps back on GP with no hick-ups. It was as simple as adding a privacy policy. i used the custom about field (professional subscription required). I also submitted an update on one of my apps not using the about field, instead i added an activity to the dashboard with my privacy policy and that seemed to satisfy gp as well. Also i added a privacy policy to my store listing, using google sites to host my privacy policy. i have now updated ten more apps using the same format and gp seems to be satisfied. no rejections so far.