New Rules Update to Boost Trust and Transparency on Google Play

Posted by Kobi Gluck, Director of Product Management, Google Play Developer

One of the many ways we make Google Play safe and reliable is by verifying developer identities and payment information. This helps prevent the spread of malware, reduces fraud, and helps users understand who’s behind the apps they install.

For example, we require developers to verify their email address and phone number to ensure each account is created by a real person, with real contact information.

Today we announce extended developer verification requirements in our Play Console Requirements Policy. As part of this update, we will also share more developer information on your app’s Play Store listing page to help users make confident and informed choices on what to download.

Here’s a quick overview of what’s new.

When you create a new Play Console developer account for a organization, you will now need to provide a DUNS number. Assigned by Dun & Bradstreet, DUNS numbers are nine-digit unique identifiers widely used to verify businesses.

Since we will use DUNS numbers to verify your business information during the account creation process, it is important to ensure that the information Dun & Bradstreet Knowledge about your business is up to date before creating a developer account. You may also be required to submit official organization documents to help us verify your information.

If you are unsure whether your organization has a DUNS number, you can check with Dun & Bradstreet Or request one for free. The process can take up to 30 days, so we encourage you to plan ahead. Learn more.

We’re renaming the “Contact Information” section of your app’s Play Store listing to “App Support” and adding a new “About the Developer” section to help users learn more about you. “App Support” can show your app support email address, and you can choose to show your website and support phone number. “About Developer” may display verified identity information such as name, address, and contact information.

Once you’ve created a new Play Console developer account and we’ve verified your information, you can start publishing apps to Google Play.

If at any time we cannot verify your information, such as your legal name or address, we will contact you and ask you to re-verify your information to prevent your apps from being removed from Google Play.

On August 31, we will begin rolling out these requirements for anyone creating a developer account on the Play Console. Your “About the developer” section will be visible to users as soon as you release a new app. During the first two months, we will listen to feedback and refine the experience before rolling it out to existing developers.

In October, we will share more information with existing developers on how to update and verify existing accounts.

Thank you for partnering with us to continue to make Google Play a safe and trusted platform for everyone.