According to the updated requirements, all applications should target “an API level within two years of the last major Android release” to remain detectable to new users with devices running newer versions of Android. Basically, once the change takes effect, users on the latest Android updates will not be able to install older applications, which may not have some of the latest protections offered by the mobile platform. “Users with the latest devices or those who are fully aware of Android updates expect to be fully aware of the potential of all the privacy and security that Android has to offer,” says Google. As new versions of Android are released every year, the internet giant will adjust the requirements window accordingly. Most of the apps currently available on Google Play already meet these requirements, but there are still some apps that require attention and that is why developers are being notified, Google explains. The company also provides developers with the resources they need to help ensure that their applications comply with the new standards, including a technical relocation guide and a Help Center article on API-level requirements. [ READ: Google Details New Privacy and Security Policies for Android Apps ] In addition, Google allows developers to request an optional six-month extension if they believe they need more time to migrate their applications to a higher API level. “Current users of older apps that have previously installed the app from Google Play will continue to be able to discover, reinstall and use the app on any device running any version of the Android operating system that the app supports,” says Google. In May 2022, an updated policy that will take effect will effectively prevent users from specific sites from accessing applications that display content that is deemed inappropriate for that site. Another policy update coming into force next month will ban “hate speech related to caste and immigration.” In addition, Google is making some changes to its policy of misleading behavior about applications that offer oximeter functionality and updates its accessibility policy to make it clear that the accessibility API should not be required for remote ringtone recording. Ionut Arghire is an International SecurityWeek correspondent. Previous columns by Ionut Arghire:Labels:
