Mobile app stores currently prioritize metrics like downloads and ratings when ranking apps, with little focus on privacy. Users who care about privacy must manually check each app's permissions—a tedious process that often happens after installation. This creates an environment where apps with excessive permissions can thrive unnoticed. A simple but powerful solution could be to introduce a privacy-centric sorting option in app stores, allowing users to filter and rank apps based on the permissions they request.

How It Could Work

One way to implement this would be to add a "Sort by Fewest Permissions" option alongside existing filters like "Top Free" or "New Releases." Users could:

• See apps ranked by the number of permissions they request, with the least intrusive ones appearing first.
• Filter by specific permission types (e.g., hide apps that require location access).
• View justifications for permissions directly in the app listing.

This would work within existing app stores, requiring no additional tools or steps for users. Over time, it could encourage developers to minimize unnecessary permissions to improve their visibility.

Benefits and Stakeholder Incentives

Privacy-conscious users, parents, and IT teams would benefit from easier app vetting. Ethical developers who minimize permissions could gain a competitive edge. For app stores like Google and Apple, this feature could align with growing regulatory and consumer demand for transparency, positioning them as privacy leaders. Potential challenges, like apps legitimately needing more permissions, could be addressed by categorizing apps by type or weighting permissions by risk level.

Execution and Existing Alternatives

A phased rollout might start with basic permission counting, then expand to advanced filters and justifications. Unlike third-party tools like Exodus Privacy or F-Droid, this approach would integrate directly into mainstream app stores where users already browse. While standalone privacy apps exist, built-in sorting would be more convenient and scalable, leveraging the app stores' reach to drive broader change.

By making privacy a visible factor in app discovery, this idea could create a feedback loop where developers compete to minimize permissions—ultimately giving users more control without sacrificing convenience.