Google Play Store · Google Play Terms · View original document ↗

Malware Protection Data Collection

Medium severity Medium confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Unique · 0 of 343 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

The agreement states that Google may collect network connection information, potentially malicious URLs, operating system data, and information about all applications installed on the user's device for malware protection purposes. Even if users disable certain protection features, the terms state that information about installed applications may continue to be analyzed for security issues without being sent to Google.

This analysis describes what Google Play Store's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision discloses collection of device-level data including the full list of installed applications and network connection information, not limited to apps installed through Google Play, for security analysis purposes. Under this clause, some level of application inventory analysis continues even when users disable certain protection features in device settings.

Interpretive note: The precise scope of data collected and the distinction between local analysis and data transmission to Google is disclosed at a high level but not with full technical specificity, creating some uncertainty about the exact data processing practices authorized.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Under this provision, Google may collect information about all applications installed on a user's device (including those from non-Google Play sources) and network connection data for malware protection purposes. Disabling certain protection features in device settings does not entirely stop analysis of installed applications; the terms state that local analysis may continue without data being transmitted to Google.

How other platforms handle this

Ledger Medium

At Ledger, earning and maintaining our users' trust is a top priority. That's why we are deeply committed not only to protecting your privacy and securing your personal data, but also to being fully transparent about how we handle it.

Strava Medium

If we collect health information from these integrations (such as heart rate), we will not sell or use it for advertising or other similar purposes; we do not disclose it to third parties without your prior consent; and we will only use it for the specific purposes described in this Policy.

eBay Medium

We collect your personal data when you use our Services, create a new eBay account, provide us with information via a web form, add or update information in your eBay account, participate in online community discussions or otherwise interact with us.

See all platforms with this clause type →

Monitoring

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Để bảo vệ bạn khỏi phần mềm độc hại từ bên thứ ba, URL độc hại và các sự cố bảo mật khác, Google có thể nhận thông tin về kết nối mạng trên Thiết bị của bạn, các URL có thể độc hại, hệ điều hành và các ứng dụng được cài đặt trên Thiết bị của bạn thông qua Google Play hay từ các nguồn khác. Google có thể cảnh báo bạn nếu Google cho rằng một ứng dụng hay URL không an toàn hoặc Google có thể gỡ bỏ hay chặn việc cài đặt ứng dụng đó trên Thiết bị của bạn nếu Google biết ứng dụng đó gây hại cho thiết bị, dữ liệu hoặc người dùng. Bạn có thể chọn vô hiệu hóa một số tính năng bảo vệ này trong cài đặt trên Thiết bị của mình. Tuy nhiên, Google có thể tiếp tục nhận thông tin về các ứng dụng được cài đặt qua Google Play và các ứng dụng được cài đặt trên Thiết bị của bạn từ các nguồn khác có thể tiếp tục được phân tích về các vấn đề bảo mật mà không cần gửi thông tin đến Google.

— Excerpt from Google Play Store's Google Play Terms

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages GDPR (for EU users) regarding the lawful basis for collecting device-level data including installed application inventories, which may constitute personal data under GDPR. The ePrivacy Directive (and national implementations) may apply to the collection of information from terminal equipment. In the US, the FTC Act is relevant to the adequacy of disclosure and consent for device monitoring practices. (2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The collection of a full device application inventory (not limited to Google Play apps) is a broad data collection practice. The disclosure that analysis may continue locally even after disabling certain features is operationally relevant but may not fully satisfy user expectations regarding the scope of data collection. (3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU and EEA users have heightened exposure under GDPR and ePrivacy frameworks. The collection of OS and application data from devices may require a specific legal basis beyond contractual necessity, particularly for non-Google Play sourced applications. California users have CCPA rights regarding the collection and use of device information. (4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Enterprise MDM deployments should evaluate whether the device-level data collection authorized by this provision is consistent with organizational data protection policies, particularly where employee devices are enrolled in Google Play. (5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Data protection officers should review whether the disclosure of full application inventory collection in the ToS satisfies GDPR transparency and lawful basis requirements. The distinction between data transmitted to Google and locally analyzed data should be assessed for completeness of the privacy disclosure.

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has jurisdiction over device monitoring and data collection practices in consumer software, including the adequacy of disclosure regarding collection of device application inventory data
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Colorado AI Act
US-CO
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US
VPPA
United States Federal

Provision details

Document information
Document
Google Play Terms
Entity
Google Play Store
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 21, 2026
Last verified
May 21, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-013180
Document ID
CA-D-00669
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
33f99cdbf161c284361181a56eab735c8af0626bba7aa9f4a502b83a63205328
Analysis generated
May 21, 2026 05:54 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Google Play Store
Document: Google Play Terms
Record ID: CA-P-013180
Captured: 2026-05-21 05:54:09 UTC
SHA-256: 33f99cdbf161c284…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/google-play-store/google-play-terms/malware-protection-data-collection/
Accessed: June 8, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Google Play Store's Malware Protection Data Collection clause do?

This provision discloses collection of device-level data including the full list of installed applications and network connection information, not limited to apps installed through Google Play, for security analysis purposes. Under this clause, some level of application inventory analysis continues even when users disable certain protection features in device settings.

How does this clause affect you?

Under this provision, Google may collect information about all applications installed on a user's device (including those from non-Google Play sources) and network connection data for malware protection purposes. Disabling certain protection features in device settings does not entirely stop analysis of installed applications; the terms state that local analysis may continue without data being transmitted to Google.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Google Play Store?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google Play Store.