Google’s Play Store has millions of apps targeted at doing different things.

As a consumer, you have various ways to vet apps before downloading them.

What Is Google Play’s Data Safety Label?

Google Play Store open on Android phone

The data displayed covers four crucial details about an app.

The labels also highlight whether it’s mandatory or optional for an app to collect specific data.

You’ll likely see aNo information availablecard underData safetyfor older apps that haven’t been updated for some time.

App results page in Google Play Store app

That means the developer has not submitted their privacy and security practices.

We strongly advise you toavoid installing old or abandoned Android appsfor various reasons, including privacy.

What Do Google Play’s Data Safety Labels Mean?

App listing page showing Data safety section in Google Play Store

If an app shares data, you might tap each category under this section to see why.

Some reasons for sharing data might include advertising, marketing, fraud prevention, security, and compliance.

Data Collected

This section lists the types of data an app collects.

Data safety details page for GitHub’s mobile app on Android

You’ll see some or all of the data collected under this section appear in theData sharedsection.

Security Practices

The Security Practices section highlights an app’s security-related data handling practices.

Should You Trust Google Play’s Data Safety Labels?

Mockup of Data safety section in Google Play Store

it’s possible for you to’t trust Data Safety labels blindly and never should.