In a recent blog post, Google has shared insights into its extensive efforts to safeguard Android and Google Play from malicious entities throughout 2024. The company reported that it successfully blocked a staggering 2.36 million apps from being published due to violations of Google Play policies. Additionally, over 158,000 developer accounts were banned for attempting to distribute harmful applications. Notably, Google also prevented 1.3 million apps from obtaining excessive or unnecessary access to users’ sensitive data.
Central to these impressive achievements is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into Google’s security framework. The company emphasized the importance of combining human expertise with advanced technology to enhance its threat detection capabilities.
To keep out bad actors, we have always used a combination of human security experts and the latest threat-detection technology. In 2024, we used Google’s advanced AI to improve our systems’ ability to proactively identify malware, enabling us to detect and block bad apps more effectively. It also helps us streamline review processes for developers with a proven track record of policy compliance. Today, over 92% of our human reviews for harmful apps are AI-assisted, allowing us to take quicker and more accurate action to help prevent harmful apps from becoming available on Google Play.
Moreover, Google has taken significant steps to collaborate with developers to minimize apps’ reliance on sensitive user data. The company has implemented new requirements aimed at enhancing transparency regarding data handling practices.
To protect user privacy, we’re working with developers to reduce unnecessary access to sensitive data. In 2024, we prevented 1.3 million apps from getting excessive or unnecessary access to sensitive user data. We also required apps to be more transparent about how they handle user information by launching new developer requirements and a new “Data deletion” option for apps that support user accounts and data collection. This helps users manage their app data and understand the app’s deletion practices, making it easier for Play users to delete data collected from third-party apps.
In addition to these measures, Google has ensured that apps utilize the most robust and up-to-date privacy and security features available on Android. With each new version of the operating system, enhanced security capabilities are introduced, and developers are encouraged to adopt these advancements promptly. As a result of these collaborative efforts, over 91% of app installations on the Google Play Store now leverage the latest protections offered by Android 13 or newer.
Multi-Layered Protection Features
Google Play’s commitment to user safety is further underscored by its multi-layered protection features, guided by the SAFE principles. These measures evolve continuously to maintain a secure environment for all users.
To create a trusted experience for everyone on Google Play, we use our SAFE principles as a guide, incorporating multi-layered protections that are always evolving to help keep Google Play safe. These protections start with the developers themselves, who play a crucial role in building secure apps. We provide developers with best-in-class tools, best practices, and on-demand training resources for building safe, high-quality apps. Every app undergoes rigorous review and testing, with only approved apps allowed to appear in the Play Store. Before a user downloads an app from Play, users can explore its user reviews, ratings, and Data safety section on Google Play to help them make an informed decision. And once installed, Google Play Protect, Android’s built-in security protection, helps to shield their Android device by continuously scanning for malicious app behavior.
While the Play Store is recognized for its robust security measures, Google acknowledges that users may download apps from various sources. To counteract potential threats, the company has invested in sophisticated, real-time defenses against scams, malware, and abusive apps. These intelligent security protocols are designed to protect users, their data, and their devices, regardless of the app’s origin.
Google Play Protect automatically scans every app on Android devices with Google Play Services, no matter the download source. This built-in protection, enabled by default, provides crucial security against malware and unwanted software. Google Play Protect scans more than 200 billion apps daily and performs real-time scanning at the code-level on novel apps to combat emerging and hidden threats, like polymorphic malware. In 2024, Google Play Protect’s real-time scanning identified more than 13 million new malicious apps from outside Google Play.
Google’s proactive measures in 2024 signify a positive shift towards enhancing user security and privacy within its ecosystem. As the largest mobile operating system, Android serves billions worldwide, and the steps taken by Google to curb malicious activity and protect sensitive data are noteworthy developments in the ongoing conversation about user privacy in the digital age.
