Banned! Google “Officially” bans tracking software App, Stalkerware on Play Store

Google, as reported by a foreign media, has updated its Play Store rules. This update is made to put an official toll on tracking software application that constantly monitors and tracks the activities of its user along with furtively looking at phone calls and constantly monitoring messages as well as other application activities.

Stalkerware which is alternatively known as Spouseware is usually used by employers to monitor employees, parents to track children when they are out, and partners to keep an eye on better halves.

Irrespective of the medium in which the application is used like a laptop or phone, all the main features of the application are tracked. These kind of applications need the device owner’s knowledge in order to be installed and run. The Play Store, in a span of ten years, has potentially entertained handful of applications for tracking software categories. Even though Google has planned to remove tracking software application, they have refrained from coming up with any public statement on the matter as of now.

In the last update by Google, it was stated that applications which have the ability to track user, transfer user data to other data do not operate without “sufficient notification or consent”.

Moreover, the notification containing the fact that the user’s behavior is being “continuously notified” must be produced by the application. In order to be listed on the Play Store, user tracking applications are expected to add all these required UI changes. Failing to do so will result in failure to get approval on the Play Store.

The new rules, as reported by foreign media, are expected to be effective from October 1.