In an ongoing battle against the rising tide of AI-driven malware, Google is leveraging its own artificial intelligence to bolster defenses within the Android ecosystem. The tech giant has reported significant strides in app security for the year 2025, with a focus on preemptively identifying and blocking harmful applications before they can reach users.
AI-Driven Security Enhancements
According to Vijaya Kaza, Google’s vice president of App & Ecosystem Trust, the company successfully prevented over 1.75 million policy-violating apps from entering the Play Store last year. In addition, more than 80,000 developer accounts attempting to distribute malicious software were removed from the platform. This proactive approach is largely attributed to the integration of AI models into the app review process, which enhances the speed and accuracy of identifying complex malicious patterns.
While human reviewers continue to play a crucial role, the AI systems expedite the detection of potential threats, allowing for a more efficient review process. This dual approach not only safeguards users but also fosters a healthier app ecosystem.
Strengthening Privacy Protections
In tandem with its security measures, Google has tightened privacy protections for users. Last year alone, the company blocked over 255,000 apps from requesting unnecessary sensitive data, such as location information or access to photos, particularly from applications where such requests are unwarranted. Developers are also supported by tools like Play Policy Insights in Android Studio, which help identify potential issues during the coding phase.
Spam and fraudulent activities have also come under scrutiny, with Google blocking 160 million spam ratings and reviews in 2025. This includes efforts to mitigate fake five-star campaigns and organized review bombing, effectively preventing an average drop of 0.5 stars for targeted apps.
Comprehensive Malware Protection
The enhancements extend beyond the Play Store, with Google Play Protect, the built-in malware scanner for Android, now evaluating over 350 billion apps daily. In real-time, it identified 27 million new malicious apps from outside the Google Play environment, providing users with timely warnings when installing apps from untrusted sources.
Furthermore, the enhanced fraud protection feature has been rolled out across 185 markets, covering approximately 2.8 billion devices. This initiative has successfully blocked 266 million risky installation attempts, ensuring users are shielded from potentially harmful applications.
Innovations Against Social Engineering
To combat social engineering tactics, Google has implemented a notable change: when users are on a phone call, the option to disable Play Protect is removed. This measure aims to thwart scammers who often attempt to manipulate individuals into disabling their security features while distracted.
Looking ahead, Google plans to democratize developer verification, making it accessible to all, including students and hobbyists, through a simplified process. With the upcoming Android 16, a single line of code will be sufficient to protect sensitive information, such as banking credentials, from “tapjacking” attacks.
