Google, Android and Play Store

New Android, Google Play Security Update—2.3 Million Apps Blocked
Google has confirmed it has blocked more than 2.3 million apps as it publishes a new Android and Google Play security update—what you need to know.
Google Play Protect defended your sensitive data from over a million apps in 2024
Google blocked 2.36 million apps and 158,000 developer accounts to maintain Play Store safety in 2024. 1.3 million apps had access to unnecessary permissions, curtailed by Google. Play Protect flagged 13 million new apps outside Google Play,
Google blocked over 2.5 million suspicious Android apps from the Play Store last year
Google has broken down how it protected Android users in 2024 by blocking apps, banning developers and adding enhanced security.
Google leaned heavily on AI to stop malicious apps on the Play Store last year
AI became a hot topic. Its influence even bled into the Google Play security division, which used AI in 92% of app security reviews.
Google blocked 2.36 million risky Android apps from Play Store in 2024
Google blocked 2.3 million Android app submissions to the Play Store in 2024 due to violations of its policies that made them potentially risky for users.
Google Play will now verify VPNs that prioritize privacy and safety
Google Play will now display verification badges on approved VPNs as a way to “highlight apps that prioritize user privacy and safety,” the company announced on Tuesday. The new badge will appear on a VPN app’s details page and within search results, proving that it meets specific standards outlined by Google.
Google's VPN badging system from 2023 is rolling out on the Play Store...again
Google has already announced a security-checking Google Play VPN badge system two times now, but it's here to announce it again.
Google Play adds a ‘Verified’ badge for trusted VPN apps
Google Play is rolling out "Verified" badges for select VPN apps to make it easier for users to find trust services. Apps with the badge prioritize user
Google Play Store Warning—Do Not Keep All These Apps On Your Phone
We’re talking permission abuse, which has always been a serious threat to users. A new report is just the latest “alarming” wake-up call, “uncovering alarming security and privacy concerns.” This latest research has also exposed “hardcoded secrets embedded within some apps… which poses a serious risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.”
The Google Play Store is reportedly crashing for Android users across devices
Google's app store is encountering an issue on Android devices that's hampering user experiences.
‘Google Play Store keeps stopping’ on Android
Android phones and tablets have encountered a ‘Google Play Store keeps stopping’ error message. That system warning usually appears when Android apps crash. However, Google Play is working normally as far as we can tell.
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Google Play Protect cannot be disabled during phone and video calls
Google’s post recapping Play Store and Android protections in 2024 is live, while highlighting new Play Protect features, ...
I'm rather impressed with Google's Play Games for Windows beta, but it still needs work
If you browse the Google Play Store on a desktop browser, you'll notice an "Install on Windows" button scattered around the ...
Google could be cooking up a new look for voice search in the Play Store (APK teardown)
Using voice search in the Google Play Store is fairly simple. Just tap the mic icon and a pop-up will appear, prompting you to speak. While that pop-up gets right to the point and it’s immediately ...
Google launches snake game to celebrate Chinese lunar new year. Here's how to play
But perhaps the most fun is that snake game, which can be played through the Google Doodle. Though it was launched on Wednesday, when the Lunar New Year began, it can still be played now. It’s played ...
Google couldn't nail scalable apps for tablets or foldables, but it's still trying
Google wants to make apps scalable across form factors. Android XR headsets will run the majority of Android apps by default. Android 16 and 17 should go a long way toward making apps work better ...