Android will force most apps not to access your photo gallery

The days of applications that require unnecessary access to the photo and video gallery on your Android device are numbered. Google has updated its media access permissions policy on Google Play Store and will therefore strengthen user privacy.

According to the new rules, developers of applications available on the platform will have to explain to the company why.Broad access to photo and video files in storage“.

Otherwise, these services will be routed to a local system picker that will act as an intermediaryIt’s like Android’s photo picker. Those responsible for apps requesting permission received a notification from Google fill out a declaration form explaining the need for access.

Google announced the strengthening of this new policy at Google I/O 2024 in May, and began contacting developers in practice three months later. Initial deadline for submitting the form This year ends on October 31.

In addition to increasing the privacy of the device owner, this idea Reducing the presence of rogue apps that abuse user permissions — content that is accepted without attracting much public attention and could result in the theft of sensitive media and data.

What does this change in practice?

Applications that do not need extensive and constant access to photos and videos Will have to remove “READ_MEDIA_IMAGES” and “READ_MEDIA_VIDEO” permission parameters your code. The alternative is to use the selector provided by Android, which guarantees more security for the user.

Image editing or social media services, e.g. They will likely receive authorization to continue accessing the user’s gallery without any problems.. However, games or tools unrelated to audiovisual content may be against the new policy.

Inside January 22, 2025The extended deadline for developers who requested more time to submit the completed form is ending. Applications not properly regulated after this date may stop receiving updates or even “May be removed from Google Play“.