Google Ban ‘Sugar Dating Apps’ On Play Store Starting 1 September

Google Play store is banning ‘Sugar Dating’ apps from its marketplace starting September 1. The ban was announced through a handful of changes that the search giant published on its support page. It will be part of new restrictions on sexual content. Alongside, Google Play store is also previewing app set IDs, adding new Family Policy requirements, and improving its Enforcement policy. All these policies, among some others like Device and Network Abuse policy, permissions policy, and more, will become effective September 1 onwards.

The new policy changes by Google were announced through a post on the Play Console support website. The post mentions many policy changes but one of the biggest changes is the ban on apps dealing with “compensated sexual relationships” i.e., sugar dating. Google has applied a blanket ban on sexual content and is updating its Inappropriate Content policy to renew its ban on sexual content. Apparently, there are many such apps like SDM, Spoil, Sugar Daddy, and Suger Daddy that can be found on the Google Play store.

“As a platform we are always excited to support our developer partners, but we also work hard to provide a safe experience for users. We have updated our inappropriate content policy to prohibit apps that facilitate sexual acts in exchange for compensation following feedback we received from NGOs, governments, and other user advocacy groups concerned with user safety. This aligns our policies with other Google policies and industry norms,” an Android Police report quoted Google as saying.

There are many changes that will become effective starting September 1. These changes include a developer preview of app set ID for analytics or fraud prevention. Google is also adding new restrictions in its Family Policy requirements on identifiers used in apps that target children. It also mentions that developers would need to comply with the policy change by September 1 except for ad ID changes. There is also an addition of a new section to its Enforcement policy that will close inactive or abandoned developer accounts after they have been dormant for more than one year along with other factors.