A secure and trusted Google Play expertise is our high precedence. We leverage our SAFE (see under) ideas to supply the framework to create that have for each customers and builders. Here is what these ideas imply in apply:
- (S)afeguard our Customers. Assist them uncover high quality apps that they’ll belief.
- (A)dvocate for Developer Safety. Construct platform safeguards to allow builders to concentrate on progress.
- (F)oster Accountable Innovation. Thoughtfully unlock worth for all with out compromising on consumer security.
- (E)volve Platform Defenses. Keep forward of rising threats by evolving our insurance policies, instruments and expertise.
With these ideas in thoughts, we’ve made current enhancements and launched new measures to proceed to maintain Google Play’s customers secure, even because the risk panorama continues to evolve. In 2023, we prevented 2.28 million policy-violating apps from being printed on Google Play1 partly because of our funding in new and improved security measures, coverage updates, and superior machine studying and app overview processes. We’ve additionally strengthened our developer onboarding and overview processes, requiring extra identification data when builders first set up their Play accounts. Along with investments in our overview tooling and processes, we recognized dangerous actors and fraud rings extra successfully and banned 333K dangerous accounts from Play for violations like confirmed malware and repeated extreme coverage violations.
Moreover, virtually 200K app submissions have been rejected or remediated to make sure correct use of delicate permissions resembling background location or SMS entry. To assist safeguard consumer privateness at scale, we partnered with SDK suppliers to restrict delicate knowledge entry and sharing, enhancing the privateness posture for over 31 SDKs impacting 790K+ apps. We additionally considerably expanded the Google Play SDK Index, which now covers the SDKs utilized in virtually 6 million apps throughout the Android ecosystem. This useful useful resource helps builders make higher SDK selections, boosts app high quality and minimizes integration dangers.
Defending the Android Ecosystem
Constructing on our success with the App Protection Alliance (ADA), we partnered with Microsoft and Meta as steering committee members within the newly restructured ADA below the Joint Growth Basis, a part of the Linux Basis household. The Alliance will assist industry-wide adoption of app safety greatest practices and pointers, in addition to countermeasures towards rising safety dangers.
Moreover, we introduced new Play Retailer transparency labeling to spotlight VPN apps which have accomplished an impartial safety overview via App Protection Alliance’s Cell App Safety Evaluation (MASA). When a consumer searches for VPN apps, they are going to now see a banner on the high of Google Play that educates them concerning the “Unbiased safety overview” badge within the Knowledge security part. This helps customers see at-a-glance {that a} developer has prioritized safety and privateness greatest practices and is dedicated to consumer security.
To raised shield our prospects who set up apps exterior of the Play Retailer, we made Google Play Defend’s safety capabilities much more highly effective with real-time scanning on the code-level to fight novel malicious apps. Our safety protections and machine studying algorithms be taught from every app submitted to Google for overview and we take a look at hundreds of alerts and examine app conduct. This new functionality has already detected over 5 million new, malicious off-Play apps, which helps shield Android customers worldwide.
Extra Stringent Developer Necessities and Tips
Final yr we up to date Play insurance policies round Generative AI apps, disruptive notifications, and expanded privateness protections. We are also elevating the bar for brand spanking new private developer accounts by requiring new testing necessities earlier than builders could make their app accessible on Google Play. By testing their apps, getting suggestions and making certain every part is prepared earlier than they launch, builders are in a position to carry extra prime quality content material to Play customers. With the intention to enhance belief and transparency, we’ve launched expanded developer verification necessities, together with D-U-N-S numbers for organizations and a brand new “Concerning the developer” part.
To present customers extra management over their private knowledge, apps that allow account creation now want to supply an choice to provoke account and knowledge deletion from inside the app and on-line. This internet requirement is particularly vital so {that a} consumer can request account and knowledge deletion with out having to reinstall an app. To simplify the consumer expertise, we’ve got additionally included this as a characteristic inside the Knowledge security part of the Play Retailer.
With every iteration of the Android working system (together with its sturdy set of APIs), a myriad of enhancements are launched, aiming to raise the consumer expertise, bolster safety protocols, and optimize the general efficiency of the Android platform. To additional safeguard our prospects, roughly 1.5 million functions that don’t goal the latest APIs are now not accessible within the Play Retailer to new customers who’ve up to date their units to the most recent Android model.
Trying Forward
Defending customers and builders on Google Play is paramount and ever-evolving. We’re launching new safety initiatives in 2024, together with eradicating apps from Play that aren’t clear about their privateness practices.
We additionally just lately filed a lawsuit in federal court docket towards two fraudsters who made a number of misrepresentations to add fraudulent funding and crypto trade apps on Play to rip-off customers. This lawsuit is a crucial step in holding these dangerous actors accountable and sending a transparent message that we are going to aggressively pursue those that search to reap the benefits of our customers.
We’re continually engaged on new methods to guard your expertise on Google Play and throughout your complete Android ecosystem, and we stay up for sharing extra.
Notes
