On Monday, Google disclosed significant actions aimed to enhance android security and maintaining integrity within the Android ecosystem.
In its latest disclosure, Google revealed that almost 200,000 app submissions to its Play Store for Android were rejected or needed remediation due to issues related to accessing sensitive data like location or SMS messages over the past year.
The tech giant also reported blocking 333,000 suspicious accounts from accessing the app marketplace in 2023 for attempting to disseminate malware or repeatedly violating policies.
Proactive Measures and App Review Process
“In 2023, our proactive measures prevented 2.28 million policy-violating apps from going live on Google Play, thanks to our investments in enhanced security features, policy updates, and advanced machine learning and app review processes,” stated Google’s representatives Steve Kafka, Khawaja Shams, and Mohet Saxena.
Enhancing User Privacy
“To bolster user privacy at scale, we collaborated with SDK providers to restrict access to and sharing of sensitive data, thereby fortifying the privacy protocols for over 31 SDKs affecting more than 790,000 apps.”
Strengthening Developer Procedures
Moreover, the company emphasized strengthening its procedures for developer onboarding and review, mandating additional identity verification and a stringent verification process for setting up Play Console developer accounts.
Google Introduced Real-time Scanning
Last November, it transferred the App Defense Alliance (ADA), established in November 2019, to the Linux Foundation’s purview, with Meta and Microsoft joining as founding steering members.
Simultaneously, Google introduced real-time code-level scanning to combat emerging Android malware threats.
Data Safety Measures
Google introduced an “Independent Security Review” badge in the Data Safety section of the Play Store for VPN apps that have undergone a Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) audit.
Legal Action Against Fraudsters
Google’s persistent battle against malicious entities on Android coincides with a lawsuit filed by the company in the U.S. against two Chinese fraudsters accused of orchestrating an international online consumer investment fraud scheme.
These fraudsters allegedly deceived users into downloading counterfeit apps from the Play Store and other sources, ultimately leading to financial losses for the victims.
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