Google Will Soon Restrict Data Access for Apps on Chrome & Drive

The search giant is limiting access to device permissions and file access of users to third-party apps on Drive.

It has been reported that US law enforcement officials have been turning to a particular Google database called “Sensorvault” to trace location and other data of people.

(Photo: iStock)

Google’s been faulted for allowing third party companies and developers access to user data, violating privacy rules across the globe. Such mishandlings have come to light ever since the Facebook Cambridge Analytica data scandal went public, forcing others to put their house in order.

Keeping that in focus, Google CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted a variety of features slated to come on various Google products later this year. And this week, the search giant has taken a big step towards privatising user data, by limiting its access to developers and third-party companies.

This is applicable for Chrome web store and Google Drive APIs, as Google has mentioned in its blog post on Friday, which will come into effect from early next year.

Google claims these limitations are unlikely to hamper user’s experience, but we’re not sure if it will change how you get things done on various Google products right now.

The new changes have been made after Google’s effort called Project Strobe reviewed how third-party developers are accessing various Google accounts and data from Android devices across the globe.

For example, with changes to SMS and Call Log permissions for Android apps, the number of apps with access to this sensitive information has decreased by more than 98 percent. 

Google Spokesperson to The Quint

So, what’s brought about these changes, and how big an influence has threat to user privacy been on making them? To answer this, Google candidly highlighted while they still want third-party apps, websites and services to work in tandem with its platforms for ease of use, it shouldn’t come at the cost of user data.

Developers ought to know their limits. Google, via its blog post, highlighted that Chrome web store and Google Drive are extensively used on a day-to-day basis, making it essential that all data stored or shared is not available to unwanted parties.

So basically, if an app is asking for permission that it has no business with, Google will restrict the developer from using it.

The same thing applies to Google Drive, which is nowadays used to back up data from platforms like WhatsApp, SMS Organiser and even Truecaller among other. If there’s any file that doesn’t need to be read or used by the developer, Google will restrict its access.

Google claims that it has been strengthening its controls and policies in response to regular internal reviews, user feedback and evolving expectations about data privacy and security.

But one can’t deny that the search giant is merely following regulations put in place by the GDPR in Europe. Either ways, it’s good to see technology giants tweaking their processes to abide by the new data laws.