The Federal Republic of Nigeria Government has banned Loan apps from accessing customers contacts and pictures through Google Play Store, it is said that from May 31, 2023 loan apps on Play Store will lose their ability to access users contacts and pictures on a new policy by Google.
According to Google in its new April 2023 policy update, says that the new update would provide brief relief for users in Nigeria and other countries that have become accustomed to crude loan retrieval methods used by majority of loan apps. Federal Government also noted that the latest policy by Google was consistent with the Nigerian authorities in order to curtail the invasion of customers privacy by these loan firms. In the same vein with this information, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission had recently registered 170 loan apps out of the 200 operating in Nigeria.
“Policy preview (effective May 31, 2023): This article previews changes included in our April 2023 policy updates. We are updating our personal loans policy to state that apps aiming to provide or facilitate personal loans may not access user contacts or photos. We are introducing additional requirements for personal loan apps targeting users in Pakistan. Personal loan apps in Pakistan must submit country-specific licensing documentation to prove their ability to provide or facilitate personal loans.” Google new policy reads and stated that the policy is coming after Google announced updates to its Developer Programme Policy, mandating digital money lenders in Nigeria, Kenya, Indonesia, Philippines, and India to follow the regulatory rules or be brought down.
