Google Retracts Physical Address Requirement for Play Store Developers

September 23, 2014
Google has decided jump into the Big Brother arena with their latest project, Google Strands: a DNA-based developer identification system.
Tags

Posted by Rob G.

Must Have Address to Play

Every month, tens of billions of apps are downloaded from the Google Play store. Users of those apps have historically had limited contact with the app developers for asking questions or lodging a complaint. And getting a response from some developers has proved to be a very difficult experience.

Google briefly considered requiring app developers to provide their physical address or have their app removed from Google's play store. Providing a physical address where customer questions or complaints can be handled would work well for developers that have a separate business address.

Image of usps address verification google play

Simple Solution

However, many Google Play app developers are work-from-home freelancers who feel uncomfortable with giving out their home addresses to a company that already has most of their identifying data. Additionally, Google was concerned that developers might enter a fake address. The fake-address issue could easily be solved by using simple address verification services like those provided by Smarty. However, never one to use a simple solution, Google has decided jump into the Big Brother arena with their latest project, Google Strands: a DNA-based developer identification system.

Strands of Truth

With Google Strands, app developers can fill out a simple request in Google Play and have the Strands kit sent to them free of charge. Within 2 days, a DIY cheek-swab kit will arrive at the developer's preferred address.

Cheek swab

The developer simply swipes the inside of their cheek with the swab and returns it to Google. Google then rapidly sequences the developer's DNA, and the developer's unique DNA sequence is immediately linked to all of the developer's Google Play apps.

Plans are also in the works for developers to be able to simply lick their webcam to expedite the DNA sequencing process. Job applications from developers to work on the new app have been sparse, though several developers have sent in stool samples to Google corporate headquarters for DNA sequencing in lieu of a formal application. A release-date for the new app has not yet been published.





(This post is intended to be a satirical commentary on Google Play's address requirement.)
Subscribe to our blog!
Learn more about RSS feeds here.
rss feed iconSubscribe Now
Read our recent posts
The Meet to Learn
Arrow Icon
Interpersonal skills and how they tie to leadership, teamwork, and business growth is no cakewalk. Yet every business knows that retention of employees is largely contingent upon quality interpersonal skills. That's why so many organizations implement principles and techniques taught by the greats. I'm sure you've heard of Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends & Influence People", Steven R. Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", or maybe even "Dare to Lead" by Dr. Brene Brown.
Address Autocomplete Best Practices
Arrow Icon
Properly implemented address autocomplete can help businesses to improve conversion rates by speeding up address entry, improve address data quality by reducing typos, and reduce user frustration related to errant address data.  But, if you choose the wrong autocomplete API or make implementation errors, those benefits can evaporate. In our new ebook, "Magical Benefits of Address Autocomplete," where we've compiled valuable insights and implementation tips, including the best practices we'll cover here.
Inside Smarty - Andrew Townsend
Arrow Icon
It's often said you need two skills to find love: sales and marketing.  You need marketing skills to present yourself well and gain the attention of the person you want. Then, you need sales skills to lie like you're the devil himself.  But what if you aren't conventionally attractive and (like the sales team at Smarty) aren't willing to lie? To compensate, you'll need to dial up your marketing; we're talkin' data automation, streamlined & integrated data systems, time-saving and cost management, eliminating human error, and workflows like crazy.

The leader in location data intelligence

Ready to get started?