Child Endangerment — Child endangerment and CSAE policy

Google treats child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) material and any feature that could facilitate grooming or endangerment of minors as a zero-tolerance category — this includes UGC platforms, chat features, and photo-sharing tools aimed at or accessible to children.

Most commonly triggered in apps with open chat, photo upload, or messaging features that lack age verification or moderation, especially when the app's audience or marketing skews toward children.

The short version, in more detail

Google treats child sexual abuse and exploitation material, and any feature that could enable grooming or endanger minors, as a zero-tolerance category. It reaches platforms with user content, chat and photo sharing, especially where children can use them. Open chat or upload features with no age checks or moderation are the most common triggers.

Why this rule exists

Harm to children is among the most serious risks an app can create, and the legal consequences are severe. Because abuse can happen quickly and be hard to undo, Google applies strict rules and removes apps that appear to facilitate it. The policy puts responsibility on developers to anticipate how communication tools might be abused by people who target young users.

What this guideline covers

• Child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
• Features that enable contact between adults and minors.
• Chat, photo and video sharing accessible to children.
• Reporting duties and cooperation with authorities.

What usually triggers this rejection

• Open chat or messaging without age verification or moderation.
• Photo upload features accessible to minors without safeguards.
• Marketing that appeals to children while enabling anonymous contact.
• No process for reporting and removing harmful material.
• Content that sexualises minors in any form.

How reviewers evaluate it

• Reviewers examine communication and sharing features closely.
• Automated systems and reports identify prohibited content.
• They look at the audience the app attracts.
• Confirmed violations lead to removal and can lead to reporting to authorities.

Common misunderstandings

• Ignorance of what users post is not a defence.
• A report button without enforcement is not a safeguard.
• The rule applies even when the app is not aimed at children, if they can use it.

Common questions