Navigating Legal and Company Policies for AdMob Users
Understanding the intricacies of AdMob’s privacy policy requirements is crucial for app developers using Google’s AdMob services. This article provides a comprehensive guide on including a privacy policy in your app when integrating AdMob, ensuring legal compliance and adherence to Google’s terms.
We’ll answer the questions how and why you have to include a privacy policy in your app for Google’s AdMo
- If you want to read a more general overview of Google services that require a privacy policy, then read here
- If you want to skip all that and just use our generator to help you make a privacy policy for your app and AdMob then follow me
Let’s assume you have that one app, you run a Google AdMob within and you are thinking about including a privacy policy. What do you have to do?
The Necessity of a Privacy Policy in AdMob Usage
Do I have to include a privacy policy when I use Google AdMob?
There are two sides to this question from a legal perspective. But actually only one answer: YES.
- There is the legal side of it: Depending on where you are you may fall under European, American (Californian) or Australian privacy laws. The list could go on since most countries have some sort of privacy regulations that extend onto the web and mobile apps – and hefty penalties for non-compliance.
- For advertisement services in general: advertisement services collect some sort of personally identifiable information as a rule of thumb to make sure they are able track the effectivity of their ads or to increase their reach and impact, which is why you have to disclose this fact to people via something like a privacy policy: More information about the legal framework can be found here.
- There is the company policy side to it as well: Does Google require me in their terms to have a privacy policy when I use their service? See the answer in the next paragraph (2).
Google’s Requirements for AdMob Privacy Policies
Am I required by Google to post a privacy policy for AdMob?
As an AdMob user you are required to follow the AdMob and AdSense policies. While this page itself isn’t very helpful in determining the privacy policy requirements, the AdSense program policies will help, and the Interest-based advertising policies will also add some requirements.
Implementing an AdMob Privacy Policy
How do I add a privacy policy for AdMob?
Usually, to make a privacy policy legally effective and compliant, it has to be easily found. A best practice is to link to your privacy policy from your footer where your users or visitors can find it at any given time. It should also not be modified to look like you want to hide it (smaller type, light colors that make it literally indistinguishable from the background). Since we are in the mobile ecosystem this looks a little different, but the reasoning is similar. Make it easy to find and read and abide by it.
Crafting a Tailored Privacy Policy for Google AdMob
An example privacy policy for Google AdMob?
Beyond Generic Templates
Creating a privacy policy for AdMob requires more than just using generic templates. It should specifically address:
- The types of personal data collected.
- Usage of the collected information.
- Data transfer to third parties.
- User rights to modify or delete their personal data.
- Opt-out options for future communications.
- Policy effective date and updates notification.
Additional Guidelines from Google AdSense Policies:
- Cookies: Disclosure of third-party cookies and web beacons usage.
- Privacy Policy: Clear disclosure of data collection, sharing, and usage as a result of Google advertising services.
- COPPA Compliance: Requirements for apps/sites under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
- Interest-based Advertising: Disclosure of Google’s use of device IDs and demographic categories for targeted advertising.
More information by Google taken from the AdSense policies:
Our Solution for Your AdMob Privacy Policy
Effortlessly Generate a Compliant Policy with iubenda
For a hassle-free solution, consider using iubenda’s privacy policy generator, which includes a specific AdMob clause. This tool allows you to:
- Define the services and categories of data collection your app is making use of.
- Add the services (and categories of data collection like “have a contact form”) you are using to your policy. iubenda now takes care of your policy and generates it for you.
- You can either link to your policy or embed the text into your app.
