Google LLC has introduced a new policy banning loan apps from accessing photos and contacts of users as part of its drives to protect the privacy of users globally.
The new policy, which will complement its earlier issued requirements for loan apps in Nigeria such as the submission of an approval document, is scheduled for implementation with effect from 1st May this year.
The new policy is coming few days after Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), announced that 173 money app lenders were registered in the country for operations after meeting the requirements set by it
The commission stated that the new Google’s policy was one of the successes recorded in its collaboration with the U.S multinational company to aid its sustained drives to sanitize the digital lending space in the country.
Google, while announcing the latest policy measure on its developer policy page, stated: “We are updating our Personal Loans policy to state that apps aiming to provide or facilitate personal loans may not access user contacts and photos.
“Apps that provide personal loans, or have the primary purpose of facilitating access to personal loans (i.e.) lead generators or facilitators), are prohibited from accessing sensitive data, such as photos and contacts”, it added.
Also, the US-based multinational company with a mission to organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful, maintained that the loan apps must provide all necessary information about their interest rates, repayment plans, applicable fees, and charges on the Play Store to guide users.
It expatiated: “Personal loan consumers require information about the quality, features, fees, repayment schedule, risks, and benefits of loan products in order to make informed decisions about whether to undertake the loan.”
It would be recalled that the FCCPC’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, had penultimate week explained that the commission decided to register the digital money lenders due to their increasing numbers and the need to protect the customers.
He pointed out that first phase of the registration of the digital lenders provided a clearer picture of their numbers and also created a strong pedestal for the commission to monitor and ensure that the registered lenders and subsequent ones that may be registered play according to the rules of the game.
