
At Google, we are committed to providing a secure and trustworthy environment for both developers and users on Android and Google Play. Our ongoing investments aim to make it easier for developers to build safe apps while strengthening the overall protection of our ecosystem.
Streamlining App Development with Pre-Review Checks
To assist developers in identifying and resolving policy and compatibility issues early in the development process, we’ve expanded the Play Console’s pre-review checks. These checks now include validations for privacy policy links and login credential requirements. Additionally, we’re integrating policy notifications directly into Android Studio, providing real-time alerts on relevant policies as you code. This proactive approach helps prevent common pitfalls before app submission.
Enhancing Policy Support and Communication
In response to developer feedback, we’ve improved our policy experience by offering clearer updates, extended timelines for significant changes, and more flexible requirements while maintaining safety standards. We’re also introducing new communication methods within the Play Console to deliver information when it’s most needed. Furthermore, the Google Play Developer Help Community has expanded, now serving as a resource for millions of developers seeking policy guidance and peer support.Malware Analysis, News and Indicators
Strengthening Threat Detection with Advanced AI
Our advanced AI systems have significantly bolstered our ability to detect and block malicious apps before they reach users. Over 92% of our human reviews for harmful apps are now AI-assisted, enabling quicker and more accurate actions to prevent the distribution of malicious content on Google Play.Google Online Security Blog+1Google Safety Center – Stay Safer Online+1
Protecting Users from Harmful Sideloaded Apps
Recognizing that users may install apps from sources outside of Google Play, we’ve enhanced Google Play Protect to provide real-time scanning and threat detection for all apps, regardless of their origin. This includes automatically revoking permissions for potentially harmful apps and blocking the installation of apps that misuse sensitive permissions. Our enhanced fraud protection pilots have already shielded millions of devices from risky installation attempts.Google Online Security Blog+1theverge.com+1
For a more detailed overview of these initiatives, please refer to the original blog post on the Android Developers Blog.