Google Play Personal Loans Policy Update Coming May, 2025: What You Need to Know
Apr 28, 2025
Izabela Pawlik
If you publish or plan to publish personal loan or credit-related apps on Google Play, policy changes are coming — and they go into effect on May 28, 2025. Google is tightening its Financial Services policy to increase transparency and better protect users. Whether you’re running a financial app today or building one for the future, here’s what you need to know and do.
What’s Changing in Financial Service Google Play policy?
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1. Line of Credit Apps Now Included
The definition of a “personal loan” app now includes line of credit apps — such as revolving credit cards or personal lines of credit. These apps will be required to follow the same standards as traditional personal loan apps.
2. Sensitive Permissions Are Off Limits
To protect user privacy, loan and credit apps will no longer be allowed to request certain sensitive permissions, including:
ZEAD_EXTERNAL_STORAGEREAD_CONTACTSACCESS_FINE_LOCATIONQUERY_ALL_PACKAGESREAD_MEDIA_IMAGESWRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, and others
You may need to remove or rethink certain app features based on this restriction.
3. Country-Specific Licensing & Disclosures
If your app targets users in certain countries, you’ll need to meet detailed documentation and licensing requirements. Examples:
India: License from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), or clear disclosure of partnerships with licensed NBFCs/banks.
Philippines: Submit SEC Registration Number and Certificate of Authority.
Kenya: Provide a license from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
These declarations must be submitted through the Play Console.
4. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) Cap for U.S. Loan Apps
Personal loan apps targeting users in the United States are now prohibited from offering loans with APRs of 36% or higher. Additionally, you must display your maximum APR, calculated as required under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA).
5. Stronger Disclosure Requirements
Google is doubling down on transparency. Your app must clearly disclose:
Minimum and maximum repayment periods
A representative example of the total loan cost (with fees)
A comprehensive privacy policy
All associated fees (subscription, transaction, etc.)
Repayment conditions for Earned Wage Access (EWA) products
Who Needs to Comply?
This policy doesn’t just apply to new apps — it also affects:
Currently Published Apps
If your app is already live on Google Play and offers personal loans, wage advances, or lines of credit (either directly or via partners), you must update it by May 28, 2025, to stay compliant.
New Apps & Updates
New apps submitted after the deadline — or updates to existing apps — will be reviewed under this stricter policy framework.
Apps Offering Financial Services via Third Parties
Even if you don't directly issue loans but provide access through third-party institutions, you may still fall under this policy. If your app facilitates borrowing in any form, assume the policy applies.
What to Do Next
To stay ahead of the changes:
Review your app’s functionality and permissions
Update your Play Console declarations and disclosures
Secure and upload required licenses and partner info
Adjust your privacy policy and make it easily accessible
Mark your calendar: May 28, 2025 = enforcement date
Google Play Financial Services Policy: Full Summary of Changes
Policy Section | Current Policy (Before May 28, 2025) | Updated Policy (Effective May 28, 2025) |
Scope: What is a personal loan app? | Excludes revolving credit (e.g., credit cards, personal lines of credit). | Includes line of credit apps under the definition of personal loan apps. |
Permissions Restrictions | No specific mention of restricted permissions. | Explicit ban on accessing certain sensitive permissions: – – – – – – – – |
Geographic Licensing Requirements | General guidance to follow local laws. | Specific documentation requirements for apps targeting: – India (RBI license or NBFC disclosure) – Indonesia – Philippines (SEC registration) – Nigeria – Kenya (CBK license) – Pakistan |
U.S. APR (Annual Percentage Rate) Limit | No mention of APR restrictions. | APR must be under 36% for U.S. apps; also requires disclosure of the maximum APR under TILA. |
Disclosure Requirements | Apps must show: – Min/max repayment – Max APR – Example cost – Privacy policy | Reinforces and expands disclosures, especially for EWA services, requiring: – Terms of repayment – All fees (subscription, transaction, etc.) – Example of total loan cost – Expanded privacy policy covering data access, use, sharing |
Earned Wage Access (EWA) | Not explicitly addressed. | Now explicitly included in scope, with full disclosure requirements. |
Enforcement Timeline | Not applicable. | Compliance required by May 28, 2025. |
Check out Google Play Financial Services policy for more details.
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