"Google has announced that with the help of AI, it blocked 1.75 million apps that violated its policies in 2025, significantly down from 2.36 million in 2024. The lower numbers this year, it said, are because its "AI-powered, multi-layer protections" are deterring bad actors from even trying to publish bad apps. Google said it now runs more than 10,000 safety checks on every app and continues to recheck them after they're published. Its use of the latest generative AI models helps human reviewers discover malicious patterns more quickly, it added."
"The company also blocked 160 million spam ratings, preventing an average 0.5-star rating drop for apps targeted by review bombing. Finally, Google stopped 255,000 apps from gaining excessive access to sensitive user data in 2025, down from 1.3 million the year before. Meanwhile, Google Play Protect, the company's Android defense system, sniffed out over 27 million new malicious apps, either warning users or preventing them from running. The company added that Play Protect's enhanced fraud protection now covers 2.8 billion Android devices in 185 markets and blocked 266 million risky "side-loading" installation attempts."
Google blocked 1.75 million apps for policy violations in 2025, down from 2.36 million in 2024, as AI defenses deterred bad actors from attempting publication. The platform runs more than 10,000 safety checks on every app and continuously rechecks apps after release. Generative AI models assist human reviewers in discovering malicious patterns more quickly. The company blocked 160 million spam ratings, preventing an average 0.5-star rating drop from review bombing, and stopped 255,000 apps from gaining excessive access to sensitive user data. Play Protect detected over 27 million malicious apps, covers 2.8 billion Android devices across 185 markets, and blocked 266 million risky sideloading attempts. Developer verification, mandatory pre-review checks, and testing requirements raised the bar for ecosystem entry.
Read at Engadget
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