Incident #E234E2 · 30 OCT 2026notable
Google Play tightens developer rules on location, contacts, storage, local network and accessibility permissions
Google Play's policy page now lists dated requirements for sensitive permissions: the location button and a Play Console declaration for fine location (from 27 January 2027), the Contact Picker for broad contacts access, and declarations for manage contacts and local network permissions (from 25 August 2027). It adds a rule that AppFunctions must not deceive or manipulate AI agents, and expressly prohibits manipulating Play review processes. Accessibility API restrictions are restated rather than newly created.
Taken from you
- Apps targeting Android 17 must use the location button for one-off or infrequent location requests, and need a Play Console declaration to use fine location.
Won back
- Apps targeting Android 17 must use the location button for one-off or infrequent location requests, and the Contact Picker unless broad contacts access is core, with declarations needed for manage contacts and local network permissions.
- Developers must ensure their AppFunctions do not deceive or manipulate AI agents, bypass security controls or interfere with other applications (effective 14 April 2027).
Evidence · 4 of 4 quotes matched in source
Apps targeting Android 17 (API 37+) must use the Android location button for one-off or infrequent location requests.+ inserted · ✓ matched in source
The Accessibility API is prohibited from being used to bypass Android security and privacy controls, record remote call audio or power autonomous decision-making agents.+ inserted · ✓ matched in source
Developers must ensure that their AppFunctions do not deceive or manipulate AI agents, bypass security controls or interfere with other applications.+ inserted · ✓ matched in source
Attempts to manipulate Play review processes, including misleading reviewers as to the purpose and functionality of your apps, are strictly prohibited.+ inserted · ✓ matched in source
Archived version ↗ · 1,306 words changed