Google has updated its Google Play policies for Android developers who publish apps on the store. Publishers must comply with these policies in order for their apps to be authorized on the Play Store. Several new policies are introduced with this update and one of them revolves around dormant accounts.
With this new policy, Google is trying to crack down on dormant and abandoned accounts. Accounts that have not loaded an app or have not logged in to the Google Play console for 12 months will be closed. Google says this will help prevent abuse as bad guys won't be able to easily detect old accounts, user data, or send malicious updates without the developer noticing. Furthermore, it also encourages developers to provide active support for their apps. Google will only make exceptions for developers whose apps have received more than 1000 installs or made in-app purchases in the past 90 days.
When closing an account, all data associated with it will also be deleted. However, Google also notes that if the account is closed, you are not prevented from opening a new account in the future, but of course you will not have the option to reactivate the old account. This policy change will take effect on September 1, 2021.
