Google Blocks 2.36 Million Risky Android Apps in 2024, Strengthens Security Measures

The tech giant leverages AI and new tools to bolster Android security, but outdated devices and external threats remain challenges.

Google prevented 2.36 million policy-violating apps from reaching the Play Store in 2024, an increase from previous years, aided by AI-assisted reviews in 92% of cases.
Over 158,000 developer accounts were banned for attempting to publish harmful apps, including malware and spyware, on the Play Store.
The Play Protect system scanned over 200 billion apps daily, identifying more than 13 million malicious apps installed from external sources outside the Play Store.
Google introduced stricter permissions policies, blocking 1.3 million apps from gaining unnecessary access to sensitive user data.
The updated Play Integrity API, mandatory by May 2025, will require Android 13 or newer, potentially rendering older devices incompatible with some critical apps.