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Are Unity Ads compliant with Google Play "Designed for Families" program?

Discussion in 'Unity Ads & User Acquisition' started by bluefix, Aug 1, 2018.

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  1. bluefix

    bluefix

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2018
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    On page https://play.google.com/intl/en_ALL/about/families/designed-for-families/ads-and-monetization/ is a statement:

    "(...)Ads displayed to child audiences must comply with laws relating to advertising to kids. For example, your app must disable interest-based advertising and remarketing, and should comply with child relevant regulations and industry standards for all countries where the app is distributed. (...)
    Apps that participate in the Designed for Families program must present ad content that is appropriate for children. (..)
    To find out if your ad network is compliant with Designed for Families ads policies, contact your ad network to ask them about their content policies and advertising practices."

    So my question is, are Unity ads compliant with Designed for Families restrictions? I am particularly interested in Unity ads served in games that are NOT designed primarily for children under 13 in the USA.
     
    Firemaw likes this.
  2. Bazzajunior

    Bazzajunior

    Joined:
    May 23, 2015
    Posts:
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    Just wanted to check - did you ever find out an answer to this query? I'm currently working on a game aimed at young children and the ads never seem to be what I'd call, child friendly, even with the ad filtering setup correctly. Google Play won't publish the game either due to this issue.
     
    awsapps likes this.
  3. UnPluks

    UnPluks

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2013
    Posts:
    5
    Hello! Anyone got any news on this?
    I got my app rejected because of what i believe is unity ads.
    I don't have any function in my game that could collect information, more than stuff i store locally with PlayerPrefs. highscores (no name) and amount of coins collected, etc.

    I got this message from google

    Publishing status: Rejected

    Your app has been rejected and wasn't published due to a policy violation. If you submitted an update, the previous version of your app is still available on Google Play.

    Issue: Violation of Families Policy Requirements

    We have detected that your app collects personal information, however it was not disclosed in your Play Console. Apps that include children in the target audience must comply with all Families Policy Requirements, which requires that you disclose the collection of any personal information from children in your app, including through APIs and SDKs called or used in your app.

    Next steps: Submit your app for another review

    1. Read through the Data Collection section of Families Policy Requirements and make appropriate changes to your app.

    2. Review the App Content > Target audience and content section in your Play Console and be sure to accurately disclose the collection of personal information. And if applicable, you must collect verifiable parental consent before collecting any personal information from children.

    3. Before submitting, make sure that your app is compliant with all other Developer Program Policies. Additional enforcement could occur if there are further policy violations.

    4. Select Store presence > Store listing and click Resubmit app.
    It is not clear how to disclose and what to disclose on the playstore.
    Thank you!
     
    Firemaw likes this.
  4. barciu

    barciu

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2017
    Posts:
    8
    I also got rejected from "Designed for Families" program and I got the following explanation with screenshots:

    The ad content in your app does not comply with Families Policy Requirements.
    • For example, your app contains an ad for dating
    • For example, your app contains an ad for gambling
    • For example, your app contains an ad for contests or sweepstakes promotions
    • For example, your app contains an ad for sexual content
    • For example, your app contains an ad for alcohol
    • For example, your app contains an ad for drugs/tobacco or uncontrolled substances





    So I guess the answer is: no, Unity Ads are not compliant with "Designed for Familes" program... unless you can set the age limits in your Unity Ads Dashboard (Monetization > Ad filters):



    I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like it should work.

    I hope this helps. Cheers.
     
  5. ap-unity

    ap-unity

    Unity Technologies

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2016
    Posts:
    1,519
    @barciu

    Yes, the ad filters should allow you to change what types of ads are shown in your game.

    Unfortunately, we are not able to advise you about which specific categories to block. We can't guarantee what settings will get you approved because we have no say in the policy decisions for any app store. Ultimately, the decision of which settings to change is up to each individual publisher.
     
  6. Thamer

    Thamer

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2012
    Posts:
    1
    @barciu
    hello,
    Did your game get approval from google , If yes and hope so, what are the categories that you selected in the Filter .
    This information will help many devs here.
     
  7. audguy

    audguy

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2014
    Posts:
    7
    Yea, I am getting hit for gambling ads right now, even though I have the filters set up.
    detail.JPG email.JPG
     
  8. joseGuate97

    joseGuate97

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2018
    Posts:
    57
    I got rejected by exactly the same ad you've shown on that screen shot three months later!!! It's dull, indeed. Unity Ads is not doing its job in filtering out what should obviously be filtered out if you click on excluding Casino / Lottery & Gambling.

    Please, fix that! My game is being rejected because of this nonsense :(:(:(:(
     
  9. joseGuate97

    joseGuate97

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2018
    Posts:
    57
    It is very inconsiderate to keep answering this since months ago. The Unity Ads mediator is simply showing inappropriate ads for children. You're all like, "we can't advise you what to do" -- well, I'll advice you what to do very respectfully: please fix the ad mediator so that it actually does not show what it is filtered out to not show.

    It is a shame that since months ago, many developers are struggling to publish their apps targeted to children just because the UnityAds mediator, which is supposed to be certified, is not working as it should.

    Please, don't just answer "we can't advice you" -- you've been answering that regarding this issue for months (e.g., https://forum.unity.com/threads/how-to-deal-with-new-google-play-families-policy.745847/, https://forum.unity.com/threads/are...le-play-designed-for-families-program.543407/) -- we need help! real help! the thing just doesn't work

    --> I got rejected even after excluding all this:

    upload_2019-12-23_22-39-7.png
     
  10. zshan

    zshan

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2018
    Posts:
    4
    did you check the dont show ads that are 13 or 17+? if no please do thats one of the other reason
     
  11. joseGuate97

    joseGuate97

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2018
    Posts:
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    Yes. I had it as low as I could (under 5). The filtering is not working, some ads seem to be bypassing the regulations in Unity Ads network.
    upload_2019-12-30_21-46-2.png
     
  12. vosen

    vosen

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2016
    Posts:
    1
    I got the same problem, also a Poker App which does not get filtered out by Unity.
     
  13. Bazzajunior

    Bazzajunior

    Joined:
    May 23, 2015
    Posts:
    20
    In the end, I had to contact Unity Support who had a look at the adverts appearing and then did some work their end. I had everything set up okay (the unity support technician confirmed this), it just wasn't working. To be fair to them, they were very swift at sorting it out but it was annoying that I couldn't do anything on my end.
     
  14. Shayke

    Shayke

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Posts:
    352
    Hey, I have the same problem.
    Did you fix it?
     
    sidretmangan likes this.
  15. ap-unity

    ap-unity

    Unity Technologies

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2016
    Posts:
    1,519
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