Google bans ads on Android lock screen

Every smartphone user has to agree that advertisements are annoying. If you use an Android smartphone, chances are that you must have been exposed to pop-up ads on your screen at least twice in a day. Whether it be the movie ticket-booking app or certain free-to-play games, ads bombard your screen any time. Sometimes, some apps even go to the extent of displaying ads on the lock screen as well. However, it seems that Google has started caring about a quality experience on Android smartphones and is tightening its leash on app developers.

Google has refreshed the Developer's Monetisation page, adding a new section under the name of Lockscreen Monetisation. It states the following: Unless the exclusive purpose of the app is that of a lock screen, apps may not introduce ads or features that monetize the locked display of a device.

What this means in plain English is that Google is now barring app developers from displaying ads on the lock screen of Android smartphones. Developers can no longer show ads or put features that have any kind of monetisation intentions. However, Google is letting third-party lock screen app developers display ads the way they want to.

This comes as a relief for those depending on freemium games or apps. Certain apps, such as ES File Explorer, have been notorious for shoving ads on your lock screen while charging the phone. With strict regulations about lock screen ads, Android is about to get a lot cleaner.

(source)