Are any of these SDKs known to violate the Google Play policy?

Question

I have developed and published several apps on the Play Store. Because of an old ads sdk (which had a security issue), I had to update all my apps with the new compliant ads sdk.

The problem is that once I update my apps, the update got rejected with this message :

This is a notification that your application, *, for package ID *, has been removed from Google Play.

Please address the issue described below and submit a compliant update. Once approved, your application will again be available with all installs, ratings and reviews intact.

REASON FOR REMOVAL:Violation of section 4.3 of the Developer Distribution Agreement.Please refer to the policy help article for more information.

We classify user information including but not limited to, email address, phone number, name, social media account information, and contacts as private and confidential information.

An app downloaded from Google Play (or its components or derivative elements) which transmits this information off of the device without making this clear to the user and obtaining the user’s explicit consent are regarded as being in violation of section 4.3 of the DDA.

All removals are tracked. Repeated removals will result in app suspension, at which point this app will count as a strike against the good standing of your developer account and no longer be available on Google Play.

This notification also serves as notice for other apps in your catalog. You can avoid future removals and/or app suspensions by immediately ensuring that no other apps in your catalog are in violation of (but not limited to) the above policy. Before publishing applications, please ensure your apps’ compliance with the Developer Distribution Agreement and Content Policy.

If you feel we have made this determination in error, you can visit this Google Play Help Center article.

The Google Play Team

I am using several ads SDKs :

AdMob (Play services 7.5), AppBrain (10.51), Vungle(3.3.1), InMobi(4.5.5) and StartApp(3.1.1)

I also use analytics :

Google Analytics (Play services 7.5), Crashlytics (Fabric.io, 2.3)

Here are all the permissions I ask for :

CAMERA, ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE, ACCESS_WIFI_STATE, 
INTERNET, VIBRATE, WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, BILLING and CHECK_LICENSE

and the features :

android.hardware.camera, android.hardware.camera.autofocus, 
android.hardware.camera.front, android.hardware.wifi-required=false
and android.hardware.touchscreen-required=false

And now, my app has been suspended. I have absolutely no idea of what could be the cause -> is this a specific SDK issue ?

Answer 1

This is likely caused by one of two issues. Either you're using an SDK that is not compliant with the Google Play policy or your SDKs are adding permissions that you're not accounting for in your privacy policy.

This thread may be helpful: http://forums.makingmoneywithandroid.com/advertising-networks/3584-google-play-developer-term-violation-4.html