Google has been hearing a lot of complaints from people when it comes to how apps are accessing data and privacy on peoples Android devices. There are many apps on the Google Play Store that access peoples private data without asking permission or even letting people know its happening.
This issue has been going on for a while now and Google has responded. They have sent out emails to developers letting them know that their app has been flagged for privacy policy violation and it "requires developers to provide a valid privacy policy when the app requests or handles sensitive information."
The permissions include areas like: phone access, account contacts, camera and microphone devices.
Google has told developers "If your app collects and transmits personal or sensitive user data unrelated to functionality described prominently in the app's listing on Google Play or in the app interface, then prior to the collection and transmission, it must prominently highlight how the user data will be used and have the user provide affirmative consent for such use."
The deadline is March 15, 2017 for developers to update their store listings with a valid privacy policy or remove those features creating the issue from their app. If developers don't comply Google will take action from visibility restrictions to removal from the store.
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