Google will make it compulsory for Android apps to allow account deletion

(Representative Image)

Google has announced a new data deletion policy for apps on the Play Store, which will make it mandatory for them to allow users to delete their data, when they uninstall the app.

The search and technology giant has announced apps that require account creation, will, "soon need to provide an option to initiate account and data deletion from within the app and online."

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The new policy states that once a request is filed for account deletion, the app must also delete all user data associated with the account. Users can also choose to retain the account and data.

For apps and developers, who need to retain user data, "for legitimate reasons such as security, fraud prevention, or regulatory compliance," must "clearly disclose those data retention practices."

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As a first step, Google is asking developers, "to submit answers to new Data deletion questions in your app’s Data Safety form by December 7," and starting next year, "users will begin to see reflected changes in your app’s store listing, including the refreshed data deletion badge in the Data safety section and the new Data deletion area."