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Is your data safe? Google's new Play Store age checks raise privacy questions

Date:
Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:09:13 +0000

Description:
Some users will now be required to prove they are over 18 to download certain
apps

FULL STORY

Google has begun rolling out age verification systems in its Play Store, a
move that will require some users to prove they are 18 or older before they
can download certain applications. 

This change, which mirrors a similar system recently introduced on YouTube, 
is part of Google's effort to comply with emerging digital age laws and 
better restrict access to mature content. 

The new system prompts users to verify their age through one of several
methods. These can include:
Uploading a photo of a government-issued ID 
Taking a selfie for facial age estimation
Entering your email address for association checks
Providing credit card details
Using the third-party verification service VerifyMy

According to reports, failure to complete this verification can prevent users
from downloading a wide range of apps, not just those with explicit adult
ratings. 

The rollout has been primarily driven by new legislation in several U.S.
states, including Texas, Utah, and Louisiana, which mandates that app stores
implement stricter age-gating and child safety measures. 

While the stated goal is to protect minors from accessing inappropriate
content, the new requirements have sparked a significant conversation among
users about data privacy and the security of their personal information.
Protecting your data during verification 

The new requirement to upload sensitive documents, such as a driver's 
license, or submit to biometric scans, has understandably raised privacy
concerns. 

Users are worried about how this data will be stored, who will have access to
it, and the risk of a data breach that could compromise it. Transmitting such
personal information over the internet always carries a degree of risk, which
is where using one of the best VPN services can provide an essential layer of
security. 

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, encrypts your internet connection, 
creating a secure and private tunnel for your data. 

When uploading a copy of your ID or entering credit card details for age
verification, using a trusted VPN ensures that this information is protected
from prying eyes. This is particularly important when using public Wi-Fi
networks, which are often unsecured and can be a hunting ground for
cybercriminals. 

======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/is-your-data-safe-googles-n
ew-play-store-age-checks-raise-privacy-questions

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