A Google logo is reflected on the screen of a Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone in this photo illustration taken in Prague January 31, 2014. Google Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, which are frequently involved in patent infringement lawsuits but not agains (Photo : REUTERS/David W Cerny)
Google is bringing a brand new rating system that will provide parents age ratings to aid them in securing their kids' android phones and tablets.
The new age rating system requires Android developer's to have their apps review actual human beings before they can be fully published.
Eunice Kim, Google Play product manager, reveals the upcoming changes on a blog post in Adroid Developer Blog. Explaining that this step is needed to protect and improve Google Play's increasing catalog.
A content rating questionnaire will be given to Android developers. This will be based on the standards of International Age Rating Coalitions (IARC). According to Forbes, the new system also includes rating systems from various global locations such as Entertinment Software Rating Board (ESRB) for the U.S. and Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) for Europe.
This will require every developer to complete the questionnaire for every new app and existing apps.
They will also require rating changes on updates, this will cause a current app's rating to change whenever they will add new features and content.
Developers that will violate the new guidelines will have their apps manually blocked by Google Play's personels.
Kim also reveals that the new system won't affect the fast and convenient way for developers to publish their apps on Google Play. Instead, it will bring more information for developers whenever their apps gets rejected since Google's staff will be there to answer their concerns. Gamasutra reported.
The new rating system is a great tool for parents to secure what is on their kids' mobile devices, although Google advices parents to personally check each app before downloading . The ratings and filters may be a great guide, but Google states that there are no better alternatives for parents aside from personally discussing the app with their children.
