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   Is your data safe? Google's new Play Store age checks raise privacy questions   
      
   Date:   
   Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:09:13 +0000   
      
   Description:   
   Some users will now be required to prove they are over 18 to download certain   
   apps   
      
   FULL STORY   
      
   Google has begun rolling out age verification systems in its Play Store, a   
   move that will require some users to prove they are 18 or older before they   
   can download certain applications.    
      
   This change, which mirrors a similar system recently introduced on YouTube,    
   is part of Google's effort to comply with emerging digital age laws and    
   better restrict access to mature content.    
      
   The new system prompts users to verify their age through one of several   
   methods. These can include:   
   Uploading a photo of a government-issued ID    
   Taking a selfie for facial age estimation   
   Entering your email address for association checks   
   Providing credit card details   
   Using the third-party verification service VerifyMy   
      
   According to reports, failure to complete this verification can prevent users   
   from downloading a wide range of apps, not just those with explicit adult   
   ratings.    
      
   The rollout has been primarily driven by new legislation in several U.S.   
   states, including Texas, Utah, and Louisiana, which mandates that app stores   
   implement stricter age-gating and child safety measures.    
      
   While the stated goal is to protect minors from accessing inappropriate   
   content, the new requirements have sparked a significant conversation among   
   users about data privacy and the security of their personal information.   
   Protecting your data during verification    
      
   The new requirement to upload sensitive documents, such as a driver's    
   license, or submit to biometric scans, has understandably raised privacy   
   concerns.    
      
   Users are worried about how this data will be stored, who will have access to   
   it, and the risk of a data breach that could compromise it. Transmitting such   
   personal information over the internet always carries a degree of risk, which   
   is where using one of the best VPN services can provide an essential layer of   
   security.    
      
   A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, encrypts your internet connection,    
   creating a secure and private tunnel for your data.    
      
   When uploading a copy of your ID or entering credit card details for age   
   verification, using a trusted VPN ensures that this information is protected   
   from prying eyes. This is particularly important when using public Wi-Fi   
   networks, which are often unsecured and can be a hunting ground for   
   cybercriminals.    
      
   ======================================================================   
   Link to news story:   
   https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/is-your-data-safe-googles-n   
   ew-play-store-age-checks-raise-privacy-questions   
      
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