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At Google Play, we’re devoted to constructing person belief, particularly in terms of delicate permissions and your knowledge. We perceive that managing information and media permissions will be complicated, and customers typically fear about which information apps can entry. Since these information typically comprise delicate info like household images or monetary paperwork, it is essential that customers really feel in management. That’s why we’re working to supply clearer selections, so customers can confidently grant permissions with out sacrificing app performance or their privateness.
Beneath are a set of greatest practices to think about for bettering person belief within the sharing of broad entry information, finally resulting in a extra profitable and sustainable app ecosystem.
Prioritize person privateness with knowledge minimization
Constructing person belief begins with requesting solely the permissions important in your app’s core capabilities. We perceive that images and movies are delicate knowledge, and broad entry will increase safety dangers. That is why Google Play now restricts READ_MEDIA_IMAGES and READ_MEDIA_VIDEO permissions, permitting builders to request them solely when completely crucial, sometimes for apps like photograph/video managers and galleries.
Leverage privacy-friendly options
As an alternative of requesting broad storage entry, we encourage builders to make use of the Android Photograph Picker, launched in Android 13. This device affords a privacy-centric method for customers to pick out particular media information with out granting entry to their whole library. Android photograph picker gives an intuitive interface, together with entry to cloud-backed images and movies, and permits for personalisation to suit your app’s wants. As well as, this technique picker is backported to Android 4.4, guaranteeing a constant expertise for all customers. By eliminating runtime permissions, Android photograph picker simplifies the person expertise and builds belief via transparency.
Construct belief via clear knowledge practices
We perceive that some builders have traditionally used customized photograph pickers for tailor-made person experiences. Nevertheless, no matter whether or not you utilize a customized or system picker, transparency with customers is essential. Customers need to know why your app wants entry to their images and movies.
Builders ought to try to supply clear and concise explanations inside their apps, ideally on the level the place the permission is requested. Take the next in consideration whereas crafting your permission request mechanisms as attainable greatest practices pointers:
- When requesting media entry, present clear explanations inside your app. Particularly, inform customers which media your app wants (e.g., all images, profile footage, sharing movies) and clarify the performance that depends on it (e.g., ‘To decide on a profile image,’ ‘To share movies with pals’).
- Clearly define how person knowledge can be used and guarded in your privateness insurance policies. Clarify whether or not knowledge is saved regionally, transmitted to a server, or shared with third events. Reassure customers that their knowledge can be dealt with responsibly and securely.
Find out how Snap has embraced the Android System Picker to prioritize person privateness and streamline their media choice expertise. This is what they need to say about their implementation:

“One among our targets is to supply a seamless and intuitive communication expertise whereas guaranteeing Snapchatters have management over their content material. The brand new circulate of the Android Photograph Picker is the right stability of offering person management of the content material they need to share whereas guaranteeing quick communication with pals on Snapchat.”
– Marc Brown, Product Supervisor
Get began
Begin constructing a extra reliable app expertise. Discover the Android Photograph Picker and implement privacy-first knowledge practices at this time.
Acknowledgement
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