Google has announced its new Play Store policies. Android developers will no longer be able to publish software that displays full-screen ads and fake VPN features in the app store.
Under the new rules that will come into effect on September 30, 2022, full-screen ads will no longer be displayed when moving from one place to another in a vehicle or a game. The same goes for the initial loading screens of apps. In addition, ads that wait for 15 seconds are also prohibited.
Applications that prevent the FLAG_SECURE feature, which is used to prevent the display of sensitive data, will also be banned within the framework of the new rules. With that comes restrictions on VPN apps as well. Data tunneling is now only available in private VPN apps.
“We do not allow apps that mislead users by impersonating someone else (e.g., another developer, company, or legal entity) or any other app,” Google said in a statement. “To ensure that Google Play remains a safe and respectful platform, we have established certain standards and prohibit content that is harmful or inappropriate for our users.”