Permission review Google Play for access to background location

user_472015 0
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According to the Requesting access to background location, Google Play requires a strict(er) set of requirements to be able to use background permissions for apps installed via the Google Play store. It provides a set of guidelines which have to be fulfilled to allow an app to enter- or remain in the store with said permissions. According to the document, it states:

May: Developers can request feedback on their use case via the Play Console with an estimated reply time of two weeks.

Having adjusted the app we have in the store, we're ready for a review to see if everything is correctly implemented. The documentation states that feedback can be requested through the Play Console, but I don't see any such option. How do we go about request a reviewing so that we can keep background permissions for the continued operation of our app?

google-play review android
4 Answers

If you don't use background location service. From your AndroidManifest.xml file, remove

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION" />

or if some of external libraries want to use background location service but you don't, add this to your AndroidManifest.xml file

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION" 
  tools:node="remove" />

Then open the play store console, select the app in the console > App Content > Sensitive app permission > Manage > Location permissions > Manage

And select "No" option like below and Save it.

enter image description here

After those processes, your app rejection / removing will be gone after google confirm your policy.

user_33410890

The form can be submitted through the new Google Play Console. It has a top level navigation item now.

Select the app in the console > Policy > App policy > Sensitive app permission > Manage.

user_88356750

I've just talked to the Play Console Support Team. This is not available yet. Google is still working on it and updates will be provided on the blog:

https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2020/02/safer-location-access.html

They're apologising for the delay ;)

June update from the blog:

In February, we announced developers will need to get approval to access background location in their app to prevent misuse. We're giving developers more time to make changes and won't be enforcing the policy for existing apps until 2021.

https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2020/06/

user_49746030

I have received the following instructions from Google Support in order to submit an existing app for their evaluation against their new location policy:

https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9214102?hl=en

From their email: "When you complete the Permissions Declaration Form and roll out your release, your app will be subject to an extended review by the Google Play team. Your request may require up to several weeks to process. During this time your new app or app update will be in a pending publication status until your request is reviewed. Your app will also be subject to the standard compliance review against Google Play's Developer Program Policies.

Once your Permission Declaration has been approved and your app has been approved for policy compliance, your release will be published and you can once again use the Publishing API to manage your releases. Otherwise, the Google Play team will notify you if your Permissions Declaration request has been rejected and provide any additional information."

user_113164070
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