Google Play to review all Android apps requesting background location access

Last year, Android 10 let users limit an application’s location access to only when it’s actively in use. Android 11 later this year builds on that with one-time access, as well as a new Google Play policy that requires “developers get approval if they want to access location data in the background.”

This policy change is aimed at older versions of the operating system, and will be applied at the Play Store level.

As we took a closer look at background location usage, we found that many of the apps that requested background location didn’t actually need it. In fact, many of these apps could provide the same user experience by only accessing location when the app is visible to the user. We want to make it easier for users to choose when to share their location and they shouldn’t be asked for a permission that the app doesn’t need.

Developers will need to get approval from Google if they want access to a user’s location data in the background. The company’s app store review team will be factoring the following considerations when granting authorization, with all of Google’s applications also subject to this rule:

• Does the feature deliver clear value to the user?
• Would users expect the app to access their location in the background?
• Is the feature important to the primary purpose of the app?
• Can you deliver the same experience without accessing location in the background?

Google provides three examples, and notes how the “vast majority” of developers “understood user concerns over their information falling into the wrong hands and were willing to change their location usage to be safer and more transparent.”

An app that sends emergency or safety alerts as part of its core functionality – and clearly communicates why access is needed to the user – would have a strong case to request background location.

A social networking app that allows users to elect to continuously share their location with friends would also have a strong case to access location in the background.

An app with a store locator feature would work just fine by only accessing location when the app is visible to the user. In this scenario, the app would not have a strong case to request background location under the new policy.

This policy starts in April, with enforcement for new apps beginning August 3 and existing ones November 2.

• April: official Google Play policy update with background location
• May: developers can request feedback on their use case via the Play Console with an estimated reply time of 2 weeks, depending on volume
• August 3rd: all new apps submitted to Google Play that access background location will need to be approved
• November 2nd: all existing apps that request background location will need to be approved or will be removed from Google Play

This new rule builds on previous Play Store policies that limit third-party apps from “unnecessarily” accessing device call and text logs. Only dialers and SMS clients with those core functions can now request those permissions today following a review by Google.