Google relied on expanded AI-driven overview programs and stronger front-end controls to dam greater than 1.75 million policy-violating apps from reaching Google Play in 2025. It additionally banned greater than 80,000 developer accounts tied to makes an attempt to publish dangerous software program, displaying the amount of abuse concentrating on the Android ecosystem.
The figures mirror enforcement actions taken final yr and spotlight how the tech big is attempting to remain forward of attackers who’re refining their techniques. For app makers, enterprise mobility groups, and billions of Android customers, the message is evident: extra screening is occurring earlier than an app ever seems within the retailer.
Google makes use of AI and layered checks to filter apps earlier than launch
In accordance with Google’s Safety Weblog, the corporate added newer generative AI fashions to its overview workflow to assist human reviewers extra shortly establish complicated malicious conduct. Each app submitted to Google Play runs via greater than 10,000 security checks earlier than publication, and monitoring continues after apps go reside.
Google additionally credited tighter developer controls, together with id verification, pre-review checks, and expanded testing necessities, with making it tougher for repeat offenders to resurface below new accounts.
Privateness misuse and pretend critiques stay persistent points
Not all enforcement facilities on outright malware. Google stated it blocked greater than 255,000 apps from accessing what it thought of pointless or excessively delicate person knowledge, reflecting continued stress round privateness permissions.
The corporate additionally focused manipulation inside the shop. Its programs blocked 160 million spam rankings and critiques in 2025 and restricted the affect of coordinated overview bombing, stopping a median 0.5-star score drop for affected apps.
For youthful customers, Google stated it added safeguards to cut back publicity to apps tied to playing or courting.
Play Shield focuses on threats past the shop
Threat doesn’t begin and finish with Google Play. Many assaults originate from sideloaded apps or downloads delivered via browsers and messaging platforms.
Google stated Play Shield now scans greater than 350 billion Android apps day by day throughout each Play and non-Play sources. Final yr, its real-time detection programs recognized greater than 27 million new malicious apps distributed exterior Google Play and both warned customers or blocked installations.
The corporate expanded enhanced fraud protections to 185 markets, masking greater than 2.8 billion Android units. That function blocked 266 million dangerous set up makes an attempt and shielded customers from 872,000 distinctive high-risk apps final yr.
Google additionally added protections designed to counter phone-based scams by stopping customers from disabling Play Shield throughout lively calls, a standard tactic utilized in social engineering schemes.
Verification and Android 16 goal to restrict repeat abuse
To deal with repeat offenders, Google stated it’s broadening developer verification necessities past the Play Retailer to the broader Android ecosystem. It additionally launched a limited-distribution account possibility for college students and hobbyists.
On the platform aspect, Android 16 will embrace extra safeguards for delicate knowledge comparable to banking credentials, together with protections in opposition to “tapjacking,” the place malicious apps use hidden overlays to hijack person faucets.
Larger image: Prevention is the technique
The dimensions of blocked apps and banned accounts illustrates the regular stress going through open app ecosystems. Google’s strategy facilities on filtering out dangerous software program earlier than publication, tightening developer accountability, and strengthening on-device protections when apps come from exterior official channels.
As attackers undertake automation and AI to scale their efforts, Google is responding with extra automation of its personal to intercept abuse earlier and scale back the chances that dangerous apps ever attain customers.
The talk over app security extends past cellular shops, as Mark Zuckerberg faces questions on Instagram’s results on younger customers.
