Google Play is the primary platform for downloading apps on Android, and Google works hard to ensure it remains a safe space for users. Despite these efforts, some malicious actors try to bypass security measures and pose risks to users. To combat this, Google has continuously improved its tools to better monitor compliance with app policies while allowing legitimate apps to flourish. The company is also proactive in targeting developers who attempt to publish harmful apps.
Google reports that in the past year alone, it blocked 2.36 million apps that violated its policies and banned over 158,000 developer accounts for attempting to distribute harmful apps. But how exactly does Google achieve this? What measures are in place to protect users from these threats? We break it down for you—keep reading to learn more.
How Does Google Do It?
To protect users, Google combines human reviewers with advanced AI-driven threat detection technology. In 2024, the company enhanced its malware detection with AI, making it better at identifying and blocking malicious apps. Google reports that over 92% of harmful app reviews are now AI-assisted, which has made the process faster and more accurate.
Additionally, Google has a multi-layered approach to security. It starts with developers, offering them best practices and on-demand training resources to help them create safe, high-quality apps. Before an app is published on the Play Store, it undergoes thorough reviews and testing to ensure its safety.
For users, Google offers several safety indicators, including app reviews, ratings, and a dedicated data safety section, helping them make informed choices before downloading an app.
Google Play Protect’s Role
Google Play Protect is a key player in device security. It continuously scans Android devices for harmful apps and notifies users if any threats are found. This protection covers not just apps from the Google Play Store but also those installed from external sources, including sideloaded apps. Google states that Play Protect offers real-time defenses against scams, malware, and abusive apps.
In a recent blog post, Google shared that Play Protect now scans over 200 billion apps daily across devices, conducting real-time code-level scanning to detect threats like polymorphic malware. Over time, Play Protect has been enhanced with numerous security improvements across Android devices through Google Play services.
Play Protect Features
Google provides several features to enhance user protection. For example, Chrome on Android sends reminder notifications to prompt users to re-enable Play Protect if it’s been disabled. There’s also added protection against social engineering attacks, helping to prevent cybercriminals from tricking users into disabling Play Protect. Additionally, Android automatically revokes app permissions for potentially harmful apps, a feature introduced with Android 11 that resets permissions for apps users haven’t accessed in a while.
Google also uses app badging to help users verify whether an app belongs to a government entity, as government apps are often targeted for impersonation. There’s a new badge to help users identify VPN apps, making it easier to find the right type of applications on Google Play.
