Google will restrict apps from accessing geolocation data in background

Google has announced a crackdown on Android apps that abuse system permissions to access unnecessary geographic data.

Starting in May of this year, Google will require all Android app developers to update their apps, and Android apps can only request access to such information if they need geographic information.

Google will review each app individually, and if the app requests access to geographic data but is not immediately available in the app, Google will remove it from the App Store Play Store.

Google says it will review its apps. The move is aimed at cracking down on applications that collect geo-location data quietly, and such back-end geo-location data is sold to analytics companies and advertisers when collected.

Beginning August 3, Google plans to evaluate each newly submitted application to see if it is requesting access to back-end geolocation data, and if this data is actually required to work.