Previously Google have relied on software to automatically process the large amount of apps submitted each day before making them available on Google Play. Although it worked well, the system did have its flaws, at times authorizing exploitative, low-quality and malicious apps.
Google are now manually reviewing new app submissions with a team of experts responsible for spotting violations in developer policy and catching malicous programs. Developers who fail these checks receive advice on fixing the problems in the app and are given an opportunity to resubmit it with Google hoping to stream line the process and to “Continue to help developers get their products to market within a matter of hours after submission, rather than days or weeks.”, according to a blog post regarding the changes.
Alterations are also being made to the age rating system on Google Play and developers can fill a questionnaire when submitting apps, which will automatically classify the title according to local classification guideline around the world according to the International Age Rating Coalition. Not all classification boards are included yet but participants currently include the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), Pan-European Game Information (PEGI), Australian Classification Board, Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) and Classificação Indicativa (ClassInd).
You can find out more about the changes underway at Google Play here.
