Google LLC is officially banning “stalkerware” apps from the Google Play Store effective Oct. 1, but the apps can still be offered if they’re pitched as tracking children or for enterprise purposes under some conditions.

Stalkerware apps allow a third party to track the activity of the device user. Tracking can included everything from location tracking to reading and recording activity as well as controlling apps installed on a device in some cases. Not least, the apps can be used for malicious purposes such as stalking a victim.

In the policy change announcement, Google noted that the ban applies to “code that transmits personal information off the device without adequate notice or consent and doesn’t display a persistent notification that this is happening.”

“Policy compliant apps exclusively designed and marketed for parental (including family) monitoring or enterprise management may distribute on the Play Store with tracking and reporting features,” Google wrote. The exempted apps do have rules, including not hiding or cloaking tracking behavior and they must also present users with persistent notification and a unique icon that clearly identifies the app. How the latter works with children was not specified.

In addition, the Google Play terms were changed to ban apps or developer accounts that misrepresent ownership or purpose to users starting Oct. 21. Under the first two changes, apps that impersonate any person or organization or conceals their ownership or primary purpose will be banned, along with those that engage in coordinated activity to mislead users.

The last misrepresentation change is the most interesting of the three. The ban applies to apps that “coordinate with other apps, sites, developers or other accounts to conceal or misrepresent develop or app identity or other material details, where app content relates to politics, social issues or matters of public concern.” In short, the rule bans political influence apps that are not upfront with their intent.

Christoph Hebeisen, director, security intelligence researcher at mobile phishing solutions firm Lookout Inc., told SiliconANGLE that the use of mobile technology for surveillance in abusive relationships is a disturbing trend. “Google’s move to curb such apps on Play is a step in the right direction,” he said.

Photo: Pickpik