Google Encourages More Android Apps To Use New Photo Pickers

Google continues to strengthen its efforts to increase user privacy (photo: x @CodeByPoonam)

JAKARTA - Google continues to strengthen its efforts to improve user privacy by encouraging more Android apps to use new photo pickers introduced since Android 13.

This feature allows the app to only access photos or videos selected by users, instead of granting access to all media libraries on the device.

While it is a big step towards increasing privacy, the adoption of this new photo picker is not yet so widespread. Google is now starting to tighten policies related to apps that use READ_MEDIA_IMAGES and READ_MEDIA_VIDEO permits unnecessaryly, and have started enforcing this policy in recent months.

Apps that don't require full access to users' photos and videos, such as apps that only require access occasionally or once for, for example, setting up profile images, will be directed to use photo pickers.

Google provides exceptions for apps that really need broad access, such as photo/video editor apps, user-generated content platforms, and apps with image search features.

This policy will be fully enforced in January next year, and apps that are not in accordance with the guidelines will not be able to update their apps on Google Play until they comply with this new policy.

This step is expected to make more apps adopt new photo pickers starting early next year, in order to support the increased privacy of Android users.