Android app will soon allow users to delete their data without reinstalling an app, according to Google’s Data Deletion policy.

Google has introduced their new data deletion policy, requiring all Android apps to allow users to delete their data. However, many big players like BYJU’S do not allow requests for account and data deletion natively on their platform. Google has given developers some time to comply with this new policy, which will come into effect after December 7th.

Google Play Store listings will start showing this change starting early 2024. Now users will not have to worry about their sensitive information being at risk as they can request removal of their account and data at any time. At this time, many apps require users to manually get in contact with app developers or companies to request account removal.

Apps with accounts will be required to request data deletion.

This helps users have better controls and awareness about their in-app data with the app and online. This means users can request deletion of their account without having to reinstall an app. Ahead of Play Store listing, developers have to answer a few questions related to data deletion in their app’s safety form and also require them to link an online data deletion option within a data safety section of their Google Play Store listing. Companies want to make the Android experience more intuitive for both users and developers. Having controls over data gives users more clarity and control over their data.

Play Store listings will have a data deletion option for online data deletion requests

Users can directly go to their website or app to request deletion of an account, and developers will also have to wipe data for an account upon request. If users don’t have the app installed on their device, they can still request to delete the account if they had created an account before. By this, users will have more trust in Google Play Store and its apps.

All Android apps that require users to create an account need to have an option to delete the account within the Android app and on the web. Users will also have the option to choose what data they want to remove or keep, such as activity history, images, or videos, without having to delete their accounts.

Giving users more control over their personal data is important, as most companies misuse this data for marketing and other purposes, which can be very annoying for users. Making data collection and usage more transparent is a major step toward better privacy and security features.

This change comes after Apple instituted similar rules for the Apple App Store,

where all apps listed on the App Store have to give users an option to delete their account and data upon request via the app or web. It’s a good sign that big tech giants are working and being more concerned about privacy violations and data breaches, and giving users more control over their data. Indeed, this functionality can also prevent users from privacy violations and data breaches, and companies/developers can also protect their reputation.

It is unclear how Google will check if this rule is being followed, or if it is still up to developers to disclose and provide users with actual deletion confirmation. This new policy will be enforced early 2024, while developers can ask for an extension via the Google Play Console until May 31, 2024. After that, non-compliant apps will face delisting from Google Play.