Google Forces Android Apps to Allow Deleting User Account

Removing personal data and deleting accounts from mobile apps can be a challenging task, often leading to frustration or impossibility.

To address this issue, Google is introducing a new data deletion policy for the Google Play Store.

Google’s latest developer policy empowers Android users to control their data by enabling them to delete their account information from apps that necessitate account creation, even if the app is not currently installed.

In addition, developers will be required to delete all data associated with a user’s account upon request for complete account deletion.

Google plans to enable users to delete their data without reinstalling each app.

Hence developers who offer an in-app account deletion experience will also need to provide a web-based option.

“As the new policy states, when you fulfill a request to delete an account, you must also delete the data associated with that account,” explained Bethel Otuteye, Senior Director of Android App Safety, in a blog post.

The feature also gives developers a way to provide more choice: users who may not want to delete their account entirely can choose to delete other data only where applicable (such as activity history, images, or videos) 

Bethel Otuteye, Senior Director, Android App Safety

Google’s new policy aims to increase users’ awareness of their data control and promote trust in the Play Store and apps in general.

It also allows for more flexibility, as users can delete specific data while keeping their accounts intact.

The web-based option eliminates the need to reinstall an app to delete information.

The policy will be implemented in phases, with developers having until December 7th to address data deletion queries in their app’s safety form.

The updates will be visible in store listings from early 2024, and developers can request an extension until May 31st of next year.

According to BleepingComputer, Google’s recent policy change mirrors Apple’s decision to mandate developers of apps that offer an account creation feature to include an in-app account deletion option by June 2022.