Very few users are in a position to audit what a . Reading code, inspecting traffic or evaluating a security assessment is out of reach for most people. Privacy policies are long and often written to protect the company more than to inform the user. In practice, this leaves visible cues such as badges, rankings and reviews doing most of the work.
Several months after AI-powered age verification rolled out to YouTube, age checks are hitting another Google service. Over the past several days, users have spotted a new age verification system appearing on the Google Play Store. When attempting to download certain apps, users are greeted with a verification pop-up asking to confirm their age. According to reports from people who have already seen this pop-up, you aren't able to download many apps until this is done.
Since launching Google Play (née Android Market) in 2008, Google has never made a change to the US store that it didn't want to make-until now. Having lost the antitrust case brought by Epic Games, Google has implemented the first phase of changes mandated by the court. Developers operating in the Play Store will have more freedom to direct app users to resources outside the Google bubble. However, Google has not given up hope of reversing its loss before it's forced to make bigger changes.
The tech giant is bringing its multiplatform play out of beta and expanding its availability, allowing players to access Google Play games across both mobile and PC. It is also making a big push to further personalize the Google Play experience, which includes deeper integration with its AI products. As detailed in a blog post, Google is focusing on efforts designed to unify gaming experiences across platforms.
Google might have found a way Gemini could be useful while you're playing games on your phone. The company is introducing a new software overlay today it calls the Play Games Sidekick that gives you access to Gemini Live while you play, alongside a host of other gaming-focused updates to Google Play that could make the app platform a better home for gamers.
Google Play is adding a new centralized user hub that makes it easier to find player account information and personalized content recommendations. In its blog announcement, Google describes the You tab as a "home base" that houses Google Play stats, rewards, subscriptions, and updates, alongside recommendations for "relevant content." In addition to gaming recommendations, the You tab will also make other tailored content suggestions based on the users' other interests and apps.
The update builds on other recent additions that aim to make the Play Store more of a destination - like a tab that shows you where you can watch your favorite shows or Collections, which organizes your favorite apps and games into areas like shop, watch, and listen, Google Play Games VP and General Manager Aurash Mahbood explained to TechCrunch in a press briefing.
