Google Stopped 2+ Million Unsafe Apps from Entering the Play Store in 2023

In 2023, Google intensified its efforts to secure the Play Store, rejecting 2.28 million Android apps that posed security risks to users. These apps, flagged for various policy violations, reflect a significant increase in proactive measures from the tech giant. 

Google also cracked down on malicious developers by suspending 333,000 accounts. In comparison, Google rejected 1.5 million risky apps and blocked 173,000 developer accounts for serious violations of the store’s policies in 2022.

The Evolution of Google Play’s Security Protocols

2023 saw Google fortifying the security framework of its Android app store.The company’s commitment to creating a safer digital environment is based on its SAFE principles, which stand for Safeguarding Users, Advocating for Developer Protection, Fostering Responsible Innovation, and Evolving Platform Defenses.

Several new measures have been implemented to bolster this commitment:

• Introducing a more rigorous developer registration process, including mandatory ID verification.
• Adding independent security reviews for Android VPN apps along with badges to signify safety.
• Incorporating real-time scanning capabilities to preemptively block malware.
• Ramping up efforts to harden firmware security so that it is tougher for attackers to exploit system-on-chip (SoC) vulnerabilities.
• Expanding the SDK index to cover six million apps, assisting developers in selecting secure software development kits for their projects.

Google’s efforts extend beyond blocking malicious apps. The company has rejected or altered 200,000 app submissions that sought access to high-risk permissions like SMS and background location data without valid justification. 

Collaborating for Greater Transparency

Google’s efforts extend beyond blocking malicious apps. The company has rejected or altered 200,000 app submissions that sought access to high-risk permissions like SMS and background location data without valid justification. 

Moreover, Google has forged partnerships with 31 SDK providers to ensure minimal and secure data collection from devices using these SDKs. This initiative now covers 790,000 apps on the Play Store, potentially safeguarding tens of millions of users.

Best Practices for Android Users

While the Play Store remains the safest avenue for downloading Android apps, it is not completely devoid of risks such as malware, spyware, and adware. Google, along with its partners in the App Defense Alliance, is constantly working to detect and eliminate such threats. 

However, Android users can take proactive steps to protect themselves:

• Always download apps from the Play STore and avoid third-party stores.
• Ensure that Google Play Protect is enabled on your devices.
• Regularly monitor apps for unusual data or power usage and adjust app permissions as necessary to limit access to essential functionalities.