New rules for Android applications ban misleading advertising

Google has drawn up new rules regarding the development of Android applications. It states that developers should ensure that their apps do not contain deceptive ads. The use of SMS is also being made stricter.

The rules have been published in a new version of the Developer Content Policy. In it, Google states that applications should not be involved in displaying misleading advertisements. For example, it is forbidden to imitate system messages or a notification, while it is actually advertising. Also, no sneaky techniques may be used to make the device install an application without the user’s knowledge. Finally, Google forbids advertising by sending text messages. Applications that offer SMS functionality must now explicitly request permission from the user.

According to Google, a developer is responsible that the app behaves according to the rules. If an ad network is used to serve ads, the developer still needs to ensure that no misleading content is shown. If the developer himself advertises his apps, this should also be done without deceptive means.

Finally, Google will come up with stricter rules for ad creators. They are no longer allowed to imitate the user interface of an application, so they must be recognizable as an advertisement. Last year, Google also introduced stricter rules for advertisements. At that time, developers were banned from including ads in the notification bar, among other things.