It is expected to be officially implemented from November 1 this year
Google announced that it will actively hide apps that have not been updated for two years after being put on the shelves, so as to prevent users from downloading them again, and further requires developers to import the new version of the API in the app to ensure that the app is safe to use, and can also be combined with the latest Android version. application function.
According to Google’s instructions, when the Android 12 version of the operating system was officially launched in October last year, it stated that all app content must be updated to the latest version before October this year, and the API usage level will be updated, and if the app is used before October 2023 If it has not been updated, it will be hidden on the Google Play Store, and users will not be able to download and install it through search and other methods.
However, Google said that this restriction only applies to devices using the new version of the Android operating system. If users have devices with an older version of the Android operating system, they can still search for these long-unupdated apps. However, since many apps have been updated to the new version of the API content, the actual impact is not large.
▲ Newly launched apps must use the API level corresponding to the Android operating system version released within the past year
▲If the existing app has not been upgraded to the new version of the API level within two years of its launch, it will be automatically hidden, and the new version of the Android operating system device cannot be searched for, downloaded and used.
There will be such a move, Google explained that it is mainly to prevent users from downloading and installing apps that use outdated API content, which may have security issues such as privacy holes. This policy will be officially implemented from November 1 this year, and calls on developers to update the apps already on the Google Play Store as soon as possible.
In addition, Google also stated that it will start to hide apps that are not suitable for use in the global region from May 11, including apps that violate Google Play Store policies such as hate speech and discrimination, or contain app content that defames specific groups to avoid greater impact. At the same time, Google has also recently removed a large number of app content that involves stealing user privacy data. Most of these content are disguised in the form of apps such as QR Code readers that are often used, or highway camera lens detectors. removed by.