Deceptive Behavior

Full Policy

We don't allow apps that attempt to deceive users or enable dishonest behavior including but not limited to apps which are determined to be functionally impossible. Apps must provide an accurate disclosure, description and images/video of their functionality in all parts of the metadata. Apps must not attempt to mimic functionality or warnings from the operating system or other apps. Any changes to device settings must be made with the user's knowledge and consent and be reversible by the user.

Key Considerations

Do	Don't
Ensure your app's title, icon and description accurately reflect its actual functionality.	Don't mislead users about your app's functionality or claim features that are functionally impossible.
Provide clear, in-app disclosures and get explicit user consent before making any changes to device settings.	Don’t impersonate other apps, brands, or government entities.
Test your app to ensure it performs as users would reasonably expect.	Don’t display ads that mimic system notifications or warnings, making them appear as a part of the device's OS.

We don’t allow apps that contain false or misleading information or claims, including in the description, title, icon, and screenshots.

• Apps that misrepresent or do not accurately and clearly describe their functionality:
  • An app that claims to be a racing game in its description and screenshots, but is actually a puzzle block game using a picture of a car.
  • An app that claims to be an antivirus app, but only contains a text guide explaining how to remove viruses.
• Apps that claim functionalities that are not possible to implement, such as insect repellent apps, even if it is represented as a prank, fake, joke, etc.
• Apps that are improperly categorized, including but not limited to the app rating or app category.
• Demonstrably deceptive or false content that may interfere with voting processes, or about the outcome of elections.
• Apps that falsely claim affiliation with a government entity or to provide or facilitate government services for which they are not properly authorized.
• Apps that falsely claim to be the official app of an established entity. Titles like “Justin Bieber Official” are not allowed without the necessary permissions or rights.

(1) Apps that claim functionalities that are not possible to implement (using your phone) as a breathalyzer.

Full Policy

We don’t allow apps that make changes to the user’s device settings or features outside of the app without the user’s knowledge and consent. Device settings and features include system and browser settings, bookmarks, shortcuts, icons, widgets, and the presentation of apps on the homescreen.

Additionally, we do not allow:

• Apps that modify device settings or features with the user’s consent but do so in a way that is not easily reversible.
• Apps or ads that modify device settings or features as a service to third parties or for advertising purposes.
• Apps that mislead users into removing or disabling third-party apps or modifying device settings or features.
• Apps that encourage or incentivize users into removing or disabling third-party apps or modifying device settings or features unless it is part of a verifiable security service.

Do	Don't
Obtain explicit user consent before changing any device settings or features.	Don't modify device settings or features without the user's clear knowledge and consent.
Clearly explain what your app will change and why.	Don't mislead or incentivize users to disable or remove other apps.
Ensure all user consented changes are easily reversible by the user.	Don't modify device settings or features as a service to third parties or for advertising purposes.

Full Policy

We don't allow apps that help users to mislead others or are functionally deceptive in any way, including, but not limited to: apps that generate or facilitate the generation of ID cards, social security numbers, passports, diplomas, credit cards, bank accounts, and driver's licenses. Apps must provide accurate disclosures, titles, descriptions, and images/video regarding the app's functionality and/or content and should perform as reasonably and accurately expected by the user.

Additional app resources (for example, game assets) may only be downloaded if they are necessary for the users' use of the app. Downloaded resources must be compliant with all Google Play policies, and before beginning the download, the app should prompt users and clearly disclose the download size.

Any claim that an app is a "prank", "for entertainment purposes" (or other synonym) does not exempt an app from application of our policies.

• Apps that mimic other apps or websites to trick users into disclosing personal or authentication information.
• Apps that depict or display unverified or real world phone numbers, contacts, addresses, or personally identifiable information of non-consenting individuals or entities.
• Apps with different core functionality based on a user’s geography, device parameters, or other user-dependent data where those differences are not prominently advertised to the user in the store listing.
• Apps that change significantly between versions without alerting the user (for example, ‘what’s new’ section ) and updating the store listing.
• Apps that attempt to modify or obfuscate behavior during review.
• Apps with content delivery network (CDN) facilitated downloads that fail to prompt the user and disclose the download size prior to downloading.

Key Considerations

Do	Don't
Provide an honest and accurate app description, title, and images about its functionality.	Don't generate or facilitate the generation of fake documents.
Ensure the app performs as reasonably and accurately expected by the user.	Don't mimic other apps to trick users into disclosing personal and sensitive  information.
Alert users and update your store listing  when the app functionality changes.	Don't have different core functionality based on user data or geography without disclosure.
Prompt users and explicitly disclose the download size first, if the app requires the download of additional assets.	Don't show different functionality based on user geography or device parameters, or other user-dependent data without prominently advertising it.

Full Policy

We don't allow apps that promote or help create false or misleading information or claims conveyed through imagery, audio, videos and/or text. We disallow apps determined to promote or perpetuate demonstrably misleading or deceptive imagery, videos and/or text, which may cause harm pertaining to a sensitive event, politics, social issues, or other matters of public concern.

Exceptions may be provided for public interest, clearly artificial images, manipulated media with user-facing disclaimers or watermarks, or obvious satire or parody.

Manipulated media must comply with existing Google Play developer policies, including prohibiting disallowed content under the restricted content policies.

• Apps using public figures or media from a sensitive event to advertise media altering capability within an app's store listing.
• Apps that alter media clips to mimic a news broadcast by including names or logos of real news outlets without clear disclaimers or watermarks.
• Apps with the sole purpose of creating misleading media.
  

  (1) This app provides functionality to alter media clips to mimic a news broadcast, and add famous or public figures to the clip without a watermark.

Key Considerations

Do	Don't
Review and comply with all other Google Play policies, especially the Restricted Content policy, for any media your app creates or promotes.	Don't create, promote, or help users create demonstrably false or misleading media that could cause harm.
Apply clear, visible, and user-facing watermarks or disclaimers to all media (imagery, audio, video, text) that your app manipulates.	Don’t manipulate media related to sensitive events, politics, or social issues in a way that is deceptive or harmful.
Ensure any content intended as satire or parody is obvious to the user.	Don’t alter media clips to impersonate or mimic real news broadcasts (for example, by using their logos, names, or branding) unless you include a clear watermark or disclaimer stating it is not.
Make sure your app has a clear, legitimate purpose beyond simply creating manipulated media (for example, creative tools, artistic filters).	Don't use a sensitive event or public figures to advertise media alteration capabilities in your app.

Full Policy

Your app’s functionality should be reasonably clear to users; don't include any hidden, dormant, or undocumented features within your app. Techniques to evade app reviews are not allowed. Apps may be required to provide additional details to ensure user safety, system integrity, and policy compliance.

Key Considerations

Do	Don't
Ensure your app's functionality is "what you see is what you get." All features available to the user should be clear and documented in your store listing.	Don't include undocumented or hidden features that are designed to be activated remotely or after a certain amount of time.
Make sure your app behaves identically for a regular user and for a Google Play reviewer.	Don't dynamically download and execute code from a remote source that introduces features or functionality not present during the app review.
Be prepared to provide Google with a detailed explanation of your app's features and code if they request it for a review.	Don't use techniques to detect the app review environment and change your app's behavior to hide non-compliant features.
Ensure all code in your app, including third-party SDKs, is directly related to the app's stated purpose.	Don't intentionally obfuscate code specifically to conceal policy-violating behavior from reviewers.