Let's get straight to the point.
I fully understand that when we create a Google Play developer account, we agree to Google's Terms and Conditions. By doing so, we essentially give Google our consent to follow its current policies and any future policy changes.
However, about two years ago, Google started introducing developer account verification. At the time, Google stated that developers' personal information would only be displayed publicly if they sold paid apps or offered in-app purchases.
Yesterday, however, Google clarified that any developer who monetizes their apps, whether through in-app purchases or advertising, must be treated as a trader, meaning their personal information will be publicly displayed.
This is a huge and complicated subject, and I honestly don't have all the knowledge needed to discuss every legal aspect of it. But come on, Google! If you're going to make this information public, at least make it harder for anyone to access it.
For example, you could require users who want to view a developer's personal information to go through additional steps instead of making it directly accessible to everyone.
Right now, anyone can use web scraping tools to collect personal information from Google Play developer profiles on a massive scale. This makes developers easy targets for spammers and scammers. I've already received multiple unwanted phone calls and WhatsApp messages because of this.
TL;DR: Google, if you're reading this, PLEASE introduce additional steps or some kind of protection to prevent web scrapers from easily collecting our personal information. We deserve some level of privacy and protection, too.
submitted by /u/VariousPizza9624[link] [comments]