apps

Google announced it will be rolling out a “Data Safety” section for apps listed on its app marketplace, Google Play, similar to Apple’s Privacy Nutrition Labels. The Data Safety section will provide consumers with a summary of an app’s privacy and security practices, including but not limited to what user data an app “collects” or “shares”. App developers (“Developers”) must complete the Data Safety form by July 20, 2022. Notably, Google has not implemented a tracking opt-in, like Apple Tracking Transparency, in association with the Data Safety initiative. As your app’s Data Safety disclosure will serve as a de facto additional privacy notice of your organization, development and product teams should consult with the legal/privacy counsel as they populate the information. Below, we provide high-level instructions on populating the Data Safety Form (“Form”) and additional Google privacy requirements. If you are interested in further information on this topic, we have detailed guidance on Google Data Safety, as well as Apple’s Privacy Nutrition Labels and App Tracking Transparency requirements, including detailed instructions on how to complete the forms (with screenshots), available for a fixed fee.  
Continue Reading Google to Require Apps to Display “Data Safety” Information by July 20, 2022

China continues to be a hotbed of activity in the areas of privacy and cybersecurity legislation.  For background on the draft Personal Information Protection Law (“PIPL”) and proposed modifications published in April 2021, please see:

China’s Personal Information Protection Law: What It Means to Companies (Client Alert)

China Releases Second Draft of the Personal Information Protection Law: Comparison of Proposed Changes to First Draft (Security & Privacy // Bytes Blog)

China’s Personal Information Protection Law (Second Draft) – What to Expect (Consumer Privacy World Blog)

In a related development, on April 26, 2021, the Ministry of Industry and Information and Technology of People’s Republic of China (the “MIIT”) issued draft Interim Measures on Personal Information Protection of Mobile Internet Applications “Measures”), for public comments.

This draft Measures follow several rounds of enforcement actions relating to mobile applications (“apps”) in recent years, targeting the over-collection of users’ personal information (“PI”) by demanding access to camera, microphone, photos, contact lists, etc. Currently, these activities are covered by two app-related practical guidelines, and the proposed Measures are the first comprehensive rules on the topic. The draft Measures specify various requirements and obligations applicable to app developers, distribution platforms, third-party app service providers, mobile device manufacturers and network access service providers. Other important provisions may be summarized as follows:
Continue Reading China Issues Draft Interim Measures on Personal Information Protection of Mobile Internet Applications