TRUSTed Apps for Google Apps Marketplace FAQ

1. WHY SHOULD I OBTAIN CERTIFICATION?
   Certification of your data management practices by a leader in privacy will increase a business customer's level of confidence in your app. TRUSTe certification signals that your app complies with TRUSTe's program standards which are based upon regulatory and industry guidelines around data handling and privacy. TRUSTe requires certified apps to: securely transmit data using HTTPS; access only the customer data needed to provide the service; protect data from unauthorized access or disclosure; and provide an opt-out from marketing email communications. Certification also allows you to differentiate your apps from others increasing the number of downloads from the Google Apps Marketplace. View the certification standards here.
   

   
   

   TRUSTe Certified Application

   To make it easy to differentiate your TRUSTe-certified Google Apps Marketplace app, your certified app will display
   TRUSTe icon next to the product description in the "Browse App by Category" page.

   
   

   
   

   Display Proof of TRUSTe Certification and App Privacy Policy

   The following illustration demonstrates how your clients would be able to validate certification of your Marketplace app
   and proceed to review your app's privacy policy.

   
   
   


2. WHAT SPECIFICALLY IS COVERED BY THIS CERTIFICATION?
   Certification of your data management practices looks at that the customer data you collect, transmit, store and share, and makes sure your practices are consistent with industry best practices governing data management practices. Certification does not mean that your app is viruses and spyware free or not susceptible to hackers.


3. HOW LONG WILL CERTIFICATION TAKE?
   Certification is quick and easy and the TRUSTe process does not impact your business. In general, the certification of your Google Marketplace App will take from one to four weeks and is primarily dependent on your response time.


4. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CERTIFICATION IS COMPLETE?
   Once TRUSTe completes its review of your app, you will receive an App Findings Report via email. The report will contain required and recommended changes. Once we've verified the changes, we will contact Google who will enable the TRUSTe seal in the Google Apps Marketplace user interface.


5. AFTER CERTIFICATION, HOW CAN I DISPLAY THE TRUSTe SEAL?
   Upon completion of certification, your TRUSTe seal will be automatically displayed by Google on the Google App Marketplace so you don't have to take any action. However, if you want to display the TRUSTe seal on your own web site, other app marketplaces, on your mobile app etc., contact TRUSTe to extend your certification to your other online activities at an additional cost.


6. HOW MUCH TIME WILL CERTIFICATION REQUIRE FROM ME? WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
   Most clients can expect to spend no more than one to two hours responding to our request for information and describing your app features and functionality.

   In general, the certification process consists of the following five steps:
   

   1. Submit information to start the data privacy certification
   2. TRUSTe conducts a Privacy Review
   3. TRUSTe assess your Google Marketplace App, prepares and sends the App Findings Report
   4. Complete the required changes to your Google Marketplace App, if necessary
   5. Google enables proof of TRUSTe certification (i.e. your TRUSTe seal is visible in the Google Apps marketplace for your Marketplace App)


7. WHICH APPS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM?
   Only installable applications -- those applications installed from the Apps Marketplace using the Add it Now button -- are eligible. Professional services listings and non-installable products are not.


8. CAN I HAVE MORE THAN ONE (1) OF MY APP CERTIFIED UNDER THIS PROGRAM?
   Yes, you can have more than one app certified.


9. DOES A TRUSTe CERTIFICATION TELL CUSTOMERS MY APP IS "SAFE" TO USE?
   A TRUSTe certification means TRUSTe has reviewed the data collection, use, and management practices of the app and has verified these practices meet TRUSTe's program standards. TRUSTe's program standards are based upon a combination of privacy frameworks such as the US-EU Safe Harbor, regulatory guidelines such as the Fair Information Practice Principles, industry standards and reports such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology privacy and security report, and client and expert review.


10. WILL THE PRIVACY POLICY COVER ALL OF MY ONLINE ACTIVITIES?
    Google has paid for the privacy certification of your Google Marketplace App for the first year. The privacy policy will be created and hosted by TRUSTe. The privacy policy is optimized for maximum readability and understandability and allows a client to quickly understand and compare privacy policies across different marketplace apps. If you are interested in obtaining certification of your apps in other app marketplaces, your website, mobile app or for other online activities, please visit us at www.truste.com/products-and-services/enterprise_privacy/. You can also contact TRUSTe at GoogleMarketplaceApps@truste.com


11. I ALSO WANT MY WEBSITE, MOBILE, PRODUCT PLATFORM OR OTHER ONLINE ACTIVITIES CERTIFIED
    To discuss how to differentiate your site and increase user confidence which can lead to increased conversions in other locations, contact TRUSTe at GoogleMarketplaceApps@truste.com.


12. WHAT IF I AM ALREADY A TRUSTe CUSTOMER?
    If you are already a TRUSTe customer, there is no need to complete the form. Please contact us at GoogleMarketplaceApps@truste.com and we will certify and incorporate your Google App practices into your existing privacy policy. Please note that your first year's Google Marketplace App certification will still be free of charge, compliments of Google.


13. I AM NOT AUTHORIZED TO SIGN THE CONTRACTS WITHOUT A REVIEW FROM OUR COMPANY ATTORNEY
    If you cannot sign the Master Services Agreement and Program Amendment without an attorney review, please contact us at GoogleMarketplaceApps@truste.com for more information. Please note that you cannot proceed with the online submission unless you agree to the contracts online.


14. WHAT IS CUSTOMER FEEDBACK / DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICE?
    Online dispute resolution service allows your users to contact TRUSTe (on your behalf) with a privacy-related issue. Often customers provide feedback about your app through this service which can be an early warning if there is an issue with your app. We will work with you to resolve any issue that may arise confidentially. This service is included with your TRUSTe certification and is also provided at no extra charge to your users.


15. WHAT DOES THE TRUSTE SEAL LOOK LIKE AND WHERE CAN I USE IT?
    Your TRUSTe seal signals to users that you have been certified by the leader in privacy services since 1997. The seal increases user confidence, differentiates your Google Marketplace App and can lead to increased downloads and conversions. Google will "turn on" proof of certification in the Marketplace App Search page and also in your Marketplace App page. The seal will be linked to the Seal Validation page which provides details of your certification. The validation page also links to your Google Marketplace App Privacy Statement hosted by TRUSTe. No action is required on your part to display the TRUSTe seal, your proof of certification.


16. WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
    If you have questions, email us at GoogleMarketplaceApps@truste.com. Please include your name, contact information and the name(s) of your Google Marketplace Apps.