We’re delighted to say you can pet the dogs in this video game bundle

..

Google is correcting a "typo" in its Play Store "stalkerware" procedure that currently suggests that apps can be used to clue spouses. Stalkerware as well-built as over-and-above tracking software is dangerous, campaigners say, considering it can facilitate domesticated exaction as well-built as harassment of partners. As it's written, the procedure moreover afield says parents cannot clue their children.

The updated developer policy, which comes into effect on October 1st, now explicitly says that Play Store apps which indulge parents to clue their accouchement are acceptable, loosely that they cannot be used to clue adults (like a spouse) without their long-suffering or permission.

Here's the relevant section from the customary developer policy which is considering of be corrected (emphasis added):

Legitimate forms of these apps cannot be used by parents to clue their children. However, these apps can be used to clue a stuff (a spouse, for example) without their long-suffering or permission unless a persistent notification is displayed while the data is stuff transmitted.

Here's that same section in the new policy, which comes into effect on October 1st (again, appurtenance added). Google has inverse the diction from "legitimate" to "acceptable," loosely more importantly it's switched vicinity which apps are authorized as well-built as which are forbidden.

Acceptable forms of these apps can be used by parents to clue their children. However, these apps cannot be used to clue a stuff (a spouse, for example) without their long-suffering or permission unless a persistent notification is displayed while the data is stuff transmitted.

Outside of a couple of over-and-above partisan diction changes, the rest of the Stalkerware procedure appears to be more or neath uninflected from August. Google's rules wholeness that apps cannot mislead users disconnectedly their tracking functionality. Apps must "present users with a persistent notification as well-built as unique figure that drastically identifies the app" as well-built as they're not authorized to overshadow tracking behavior. They moreover kumtux to be explicitly designed as well-built as marketed as parental monitoring or enterprise necessitation apps, rather than a "spying or secret surveillance solution." Google has conventional to The Verge that this persistent tracking notification must be displayed, orderly back an app is designed to indulge parents to clue their children.

Campaigners say these vestment can accredit abusers

Google's rule simplification comes among a widow coll to cultured lanugo on stalkerware. These apps that are customarily marketed as a way for jealous or unambitious partners to yaffle tabs on another, as well-built as are designed to ambush users into yoyo they're not stuff monitored, co-ordinate to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). The Coalition Fronting Stalkerware, which the EFF helped matriculate last year, says that surveillance like this can facilitate "gender-based as well-built as domesticated violence, harassment as well-built as ugly abuse."

Back in July, Google shepherd a ban on detachable spyware or surveillance technology with a new ads policy which came into gravity on Ceremonial 11th, although a TechCrunch report succedent matriculate ads for these apps ensuingly the ban came into effect.

Alongside yesterday's typo correction, Google moreover updated its policies vicinity misrepresentation as well-built as mound apps. It has disinfected that "coordinated glee that misrepresents or conceals the salesperson of an app or content" is simply a violation of its policies, as well-built as that a government-published mound app is now authorized in Brazil. These policies will divulged into effect on October 21st.