Google is taking another step to clear the Play Store. Hides applications that have not been updated within two years of the latest version of Android OS and prevents users from downloading them. This is based on Google Play Store’s existing requirement that app developers release updates that match the API of the latest version of the Android operating system within one year of this release. So with Android 12 released last October, developers have until October 2022 to speed up their apps – and now Google’s new requirements mean that if they wait longer than October 2023, their apps will not be detectable in the Play Store and will not be downloadable by users using newer versions of Android. Users who have previously downloaded old applications will be able to install them, but the new requirements will help protect users who are unaware of potential vulnerabilities in older applications, according to an official Google blog post. The new policy will not take effect before November 1, 2022, giving developers time to receive the series of updates. Read more: Android 13 is coming. Here are all the rumors you need to know The new requirement is one of many policy updates announced by Google on Thursday that will be released at a later date in 2022. For example, from May 11, applications with content that is not “universally appropriate” will be blocked for users in areas where the content is considered offensive. Other updates include a change to the Play Store’s hate speech policy to ban caste and immigration-related hate speech. To further protect users, Google recently removed apps from the Play Store that collected confidential user data. The variety of apps, including a QR code reader and highway speed detector, all contained malicious code that stole user data from millions of Android devices, and the apps were removed for violating Play Store rules. Get the CNET Mobile newsletter Find the best phones, apps and accessories with the CNET Mobile newsletter. Delivered Tuesday and Thursday.
