testing requirements Archives

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Google says its AI systems helped deter Play Store malware in 2025

Google reported a decrease in malicious apps targeting its Google Play platform, preventing 1.75 million policy-violating apps from being published in 2025, down from 2.36 million in 2024 and 2.28 million in 2023. The company banned over 80,000 developer accounts in 2025 for attempting to publish harmful apps, a decrease from 158,000 in 2024 and 333,000 in 2023. Google conducts over 10,000 safety checks on every app before publication and has integrated generative AI models into the app review process. The company prevented more than 255,000 apps from gaining excessive access to sensitive user information, down from 1.3 million in 2024, and blocked 160 million spam ratings and reviews. Additionally, Google Play Protect identified over 27 million new malicious apps, an increase from 13 million in 2024 and five million in 2023.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Google rejected nearly two million Android apps and blocked more than 80,000 developer accounts from Google Play in 2025

Google blocked 1.75 million applications from the Play Store in 2025 for policy violations and took action against over 80,000 developer accounts identified as “bad actors.” Additionally, 255,000 apps were restricted from accessing sensitive user data. The company implemented measures such as developer verification, mandatory pre-review checks, and stringent testing requirements to enhance security. Google’s Play Protect system scanned 350 billion apps daily and flagged 27 million malicious applications outside the Play Store. The integration of Generative AI models into the app review process improved the identification of malicious patterns and expedited application reviews.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Google cleans house, bans 80,000 developer accounts from the Play Store

Google blocked the publication of over 1.75 million policy-violating applications on its Google Play platform in 2025 and took action against over 80,000 developer accounts attempting to introduce harmful apps. The company conducted more than 10,000 safety checks on every app and integrated generative AI models into its app review process, preventing over 255,000 apps from gaining excessive access to sensitive user data. Google blocked 160 million fake or manipulated ratings and reviews in the previous year and identified more than 27 million new malicious apps from outside Google Play, thwarting 266 million risky installation attempts in 2025. Google introduced in-call scam protection to prevent users from disabling Google Play Protect during phone calls. The Play Policy Insights tool provides developers with real-time feedback, and the Play Integrity API performs over 20 billion daily checks to prevent abuse. Google plans to extend developer verification to all developers and has implemented protections for sensitive data in Android 16.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Keeping Google Play & Android app ecosystems safe in 2025

The Android ecosystem focuses on preventing real-world harm, including malware and privacy invasions, by enhancing investments in AI and real-time defenses. In 2025, over 1.75 million policy-violating apps were prevented from being published, and more than 80,000 malicious developer accounts were banned. Google Play conducts over 10,000 safety checks on each app, blocking over 255,000 apps from accessing sensitive user data and 160 million spam ratings and reviews. Google Play Protect scans over 350 billion apps daily, identifying over 27 million new malicious apps last year. Enhanced fraud protection was expanded to 185 markets, blocking 266 million risky installation attempts. Developer tools like Play Policy Insights and the Play Integrity API were introduced to streamline app development and enhance security. Developer verification is being extended to ensure accountability, and Android 16 includes features to protect sensitive information with minimal code.

AppWizard

December 20, 2024

Google quietly made it easier for new developers to release apps on the Play Store

Google has updated its app testing requirements, reducing the minimum number of testers for closed tests from 20 to 12 for developers with personal accounts created after November 13, 2023. The new requirement states that these developers must conduct a closed test with at least 12 opted-in testers for a minimum of 14 consecutive days. Developers with business accounts are not affected by this change. The adjustment comes in response to criticism from indie developers who found the previous requirement challenging.