Google Play updates its policy to enable experiences based on ‘blockchain’

July 13 (Portaltic/EP) –

Google has modified the policies of its official app store, Google Play, to enable “new ways to transact digital content” based on ‘blockchain’ within apps and games.

In a statement signed by the Google Play Product Manager, Joseph Mills, the company has commented that it seeks to “help developers bring innovative ideas to life” and that it advocates “balancing innovation” with its responsibility to protect users.

In this way, it has updated its use policy in the Play Store to integrate transactions with tokenized digital assets, such as NFTs, both within the applications like games.

To maintain this balance, it will require applications “to be transparent with users about tokenized digital assets. Thus, if an ‘app’ or a game sells or allows users to obtain these assets, the developers must “clearly declare it”.

Google has also qualified that if these assets “are intended to create richer immersive experiences, as additional protection” for users, developers will not be able to promote or exalt any potential earnings from gaming or commercial activities.

Developers should therefore not offer purchases where the value of the NFTs users receive is “unclear at the time of purchase”, which includes so-called ‘loot boxes’ or loot boxes.