Google has banned more than two million Android apps from its online store after identifying various policy violations that could put user security at risk.
Additionally, the search giant reported that its online store suspended 333,000 accounts for hosting malware, rogue apps, or several major policy violations.
For comparison, in 2022, Google banned 1.5 million malicious apps and suspended 173,000 developer accounts for serious store policy violations.
The ban last year was part of Google's efforts to protect Android's official app store, where billions of people get software.
This work is based on what Google calls the SAFE principles to protect users, protect developers, promote responsible innovation, and advance platform defenses.
Google is improving its ability to combat malicious submissions and remove harmful content served through its App Store through previously launched review and safety initiatives, including:
- Strict developer registration and identity verification process.
- Provides independent security reviews and badges for VPN apps.
- Real-time scanning has been added to prevent malware execution.
- Firmware hardening makes it more difficult to exploit system-level vulnerabilities.
- Our comprehensive SDK catalog helps developers choose a secure SDK for their projects.
In addition to blocking nearly 2.3 million apps and blocking 333,000 violators, Google also denied or processed 200,000 app requests to access risky permissions such as text message content and background location data without providing a reason.
Google worked with 31 SDK providers to ensure that only a minimum amount of sensitive information is collected and shared from devices with apps that use the SDK.
The search giant said that this move will have a direct impact on the 790,000 apps available in its app store, or tens of millions of users or more.
Last month, researchers discovered dozens of free apps that use malware development tools to generate revenue through the Google Play Store.
Google's efforts to address this issue make it more difficult for malware to enter the Store and remain undetected for longer periods of time.
Google recommends Android users to get apps from the official Android store only and avoid installing software from third-party stores.