Google Warns Developers of Potential Removal from Play Store for AI Content

AI has become ubiquitous, finding its way into various platforms and applications, including search engines, chatbots, and mobile apps on Android and iOS. Recognizing the potential dangers associated with generative AI, Google has recently revised its Play Store policy to emphasize the need for monitoring AI-generated content in apps. Under the updated policy, developers are required to incorporate a reporting feature for offensive AI-generated content. Furthermore, developers must utilize these reports to develop secure filters and moderation tools, ensuring the safety of users.

Google took to its Android developer blog to highlight the new policy changes. It said: “Starting next year, we will require developers to provide the ability to report or flag offensive AI-generated content without leaving the app. You should use these reports to filter and moderate content in your apps – similar to the in-app reporting system required today for user-generated content in accordance with our policies regarding

Google focuses on artificial intelligence moderation in Play Store applications

Google noted that the need for moderation is high because the Android community expects safe and quality experiences, which directly affects the long-term success of an app or game in terms of installs, user ratings, and reviews. Security is also a big parameter for Google, which is tasked with policing the Android app store and ensuring that users, especially young people, are not exposed to harmful content created by artificial intelligence.

At the same time, Google expanded privacy protection protocols in the Play Store. It highlighted that some app permissions set by developers require further review by the Google Play team to ensure they don’t violate privacy standards set by the company.

“Under our new policy, apps can only use images and videos for purposes directly related to the app’s functionality. Apps that have a one-time or infrequent need to access these files are asked to use a system selector, such as the Android photo selector,” Google further explained.

Finally, Google also warned developers that it will further limit intrusive notifications in apps. Accordingly, full-screen ads do not receive direct approval from Google. “For apps targeting Android 14 and later, only apps whose core function requires a full-screen notification are granted the Full-screen purpose permission by default, and all others must request consent to use this permission,” it said, adding that those permissions are limited to high-priority for use cases such as alarms.