Google Play Launches Screening Policy For DLAs In Pak

News Desk

Islamabad: Google is taking preventative measures by setting stringent requirements for Digital Lending Apps in order to reduce financial risk and ensure data privacy, said Google Regional Head Farhan Qureshi.

Google has introduced a new policy for personal loan applications with the commitment to protecting consumers across Pakistan from fake and unregistered loan apps. Effective May 31, 2023, the new requirements allow the Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) lender to publish only a single Digital Lending App (DLA), according to a news release.

Those who attempt to publish more than one DLA will be terminated from their developer account and any other associated accounts.

Developers with personal loan apps targeting users in Pakistan must complete the Personal Loan App Declaration form and submit the necessary documentation before publishing their app. They must submit proof of approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to offer or facilitate digital lending services in Pakistan.

Google Play will also request additional information or documents relating to loan app compliance with the applicable regulatory and licencing requirements. Personal loan apps operating in Pakistan without proper declaration and licence attribution will be removed from the Play Store.

The developers must remove the app from the Google Play Store immediately if the submitted licence, registration, or declaration is no longer valid under the applicable laws.

Under the new set of rules, a DLA is prohibited from accessing sensitive data, such as external storage, media images, contacts, and fine location. Whereas Apps offering short-term personal loans, requiring repayment in full within 60 days from the loan issue date, are not allowed.

We strongly believe that the new requirements imposed on developers of personal loan apps will provide an extra layer of protection for the users, ensuring data privacy, Farhan added.