As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to play an increasingly prominent role in various aspects of our lives, Google is taking steps to ensure that app developers responsibly wield AI-generated content. In an effort to moderate the impact of AI on the internet, Google is urging developers to report or flag potentially offensive AI-created content, aiming to enhance content filtering and moderation.
Karina Newton, Senior Director of Global Product Policy at Android, outlined these guidelines in a blog post on October 25. Google’s objective is to foster responsible AI practices among developers who leverage AI-generated content. Under the new policy, developers are required to identify and report potentially offensive AI-generated content. The ultimate goal is to strengthen content moderation, making online spaces safer and more respectful.
The AI-generated content policy introduced by Google applies to various types of apps available on the Google Play Store. This includes text-to-text, text-to-image, voice-to-image, and image-to-image apps. Furthermore, voice and video recordings created by apps utilizing AI technology are also encompassed by this policy. It’s important to note that apps and games that don’t employ AI for content generation are exempt from these guidelines, even if they use media generated by AI. Additionally, productivity apps utilizing AI and those that summarize non-AI-created content fall outside the scope of this policy.
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These changes are part of Google’s broader Play Store policy updates for developers. Alongside the push for responsible AI use, these updates introduce restrictions on app access to photos and videos, with exceptions made for cases where access is necessary for app functionality. Moreover, these updates include boundaries on full-screen notifications, designed to enhance the user experience by allowing device owners to specify permissions for individual apps.
Google has been consistently rolling out updates to give Android device users greater control over their personal data. In a digital age marked by increasing concerns over privacy and consent, Google is committed to providing tools and guidelines to empower users. In May 2023, a preview of Android 14 indicated that Google was reevaluating how app developers request and utilize user location data. The aim is to ensure users can easily see if apps share their data after granting permission. This feature, called Data Safety, eliminates the need to visit the Play Store for such information, as permissions will be accessible directly in device settings.
Even if you don’t regularly use AI-powered applications, staying informed about AI-related changes is crucial in today’s technology landscape. Companies like Google are continuously developing resources to help the public navigate this evolving terrain. Staying up to date with these developments will empower you to make more confident decisions about your personal data, consent, and privacy. Google’s efforts are part of a broader movement to ensure that AI technology is harnessed responsibly and ethically, benefiting users while maintaining online respect and safety.
