Google Play now requires devs to make their home address public
Communication between developers and users is an important thing these days. Users want to feel like they can easily ask questions or make requests, and developers want to be able to address complaints and explain features. The Play Store makes it very easy for these conversations to take place, but it looks like they could get a lot more up close and personal.
The Google Play Developer Console is alerting devs to “Add a physical contact address” to their account beginning September 30th. This address will be publicly visible on the dev’s app detail page in the Play Store. It will be mandatory for paid apps or apps with in-app purchases to provide a physical address. If a dev fails to provide their address it could result in their app being removed from the Play Store.
We can understand this requirement for business with a main headquarters, such as Facebook. For indie developers this seems like a big privacy concern. Why do users need to know where a developer lives? It’s a little crazy of Google to expect developers to do this. Developers have to put up with a lot of crap sometimes. They shouldn’t have to worry about someone showing up at their front door to yell at them.
What do you think of this new requirement? Do you think it’s a violation of privacy?