Google Android App Privacy Policy Leaves Critics Fuming

By: Jeff Stewart  |   February 20th, 2013   |   Android, Google, Mobile Apps, News

It seems that maintaining a privacy policy that satisfies all users is tough for a social network, as earlier Facebook received a lot of criticism for using pictures of account handlers in one of its ad campaigns without their permission. This sort of violation can easily put any social media site in a public relations storm that hurts their image including a chance of being dragged to court. Another technology giant is getting flak for its privacy issues as Facebook’s rival Google has got into trouble because a software developer from Australia has revealed that the search engine giant provided him the personal details of consumers who bought his mobile app.

 

This news has created a buzz among buyers of Google’s mobile apps and as a result of that it drew a lot of heat. The main reason that had tempers flaring was that Google gave the developer full names and email addresses of buyers along with other information in accordance to the existing policies of Google for its Wallet payment service and app store.

 

The critics are extremely angry with the multinational corporation, as it has bought the significant “privacy policies in fine print,” as per TechVibes. Therefore, the Android app buyers of Google remained completely unaware of the fact about how widely and easily their private information can be shared. On the other hand, Google is arguing that its policy was “clearly stated.”

 

Last week the developer, Dan Nolan, wrote in his blog post that, “This is a massive oversight by Google. Under no circumstances should I be able to get the information of the people who are buying my apps unless they opt into it and it’s made crystal clear to them that I’m getting this information.”

 

Here is another quote of Dan:

 

“If you bought the app on Google Play (even if you cancelled the order) I have your email address, your suburb, and in many instances your full name. … Let me make this crystal clear: every App purchase you make on Google Play gives the developer your name, suburb and email address with no indication that this information is actually being transferred.”

 

According to TechVibes, “This is different than Apple because Google acts as a marketplace when apps are bought, which means transactions occur between developers and buyers—not Google and buyers. Apple only shares general information about download volume with third-party developers, except in the case of newsstand apps, which can access names and emails but only with the users express permission.”

 

Source: TechVibes