In Major Cleanup, Google Bans 1.75 Million Harmful Apps From Play Store, Blocks 8,000 Developers to Boost User Safety

US-based tech giant, Google has banned a huge number of fake apps and blocked thousands of developer accounts from the Play Store in a big step to make Android safer for users. In its latest action, the US tech giant removed around 1.75 million fake and policy-violating apps that were trying to reach Android users. At the same time, it blocked around 80,000 developer accounts connected with those harmful or fake apps.  

Google To Enhance Safety

This move is part of Google’s ongoing effort to enhance the security of its app ecosystem. Over the past year, the company has been using advanced AI tools and automated systems to detect harmful software, spam, and apps that try to break Google’s rules before those apps ever reach the Play Store. The blocked apps included ones that could have caused malware infections, financial fraud, hidden subscription traps, and privacy invasions for users.  
 
The company explained that its security systems now operate on a scale most people have never seen. For example, its Android built-in malware scanner and Google Play Protect that scans more than 350 billion apps every day to look for risks or suspicious behavior. This includes apps that are downloaded from outside the Play Store as well as from the official store itself.  

160 million fake rating deleted

The company has also claimed that it has blocked more than 160 million spam ratings and fake feedback that could have misleading users install harmful apps they thought were trustworthy. These fake reviews and feedback posted on platform regarding apps are used to promote harmful apps artificially or make them appear more popular and trustworthy than they actually are.  
 
In addition to blocking apps and developers, the company has taken proactive steps to protect user privacy. It prevented over 255,000 apps from asking for unnecessary access to sensitive data such as location, photos, or personal information.  
 
Google’s efforts also included enhanced fraud protections and safeguards against social engineering attacks, for example, stopping scammers from tricking users into turning off their security protections during a phone call.  
 
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