Google has implemented significant updates to Play Protect, its integrated security feature for Android devices, building on its earlier 2024 security enhancements that blocked over 2.36 million malicious apps. The latest improvements introduce new automated safeguards and expand fraud protection capabilities across multiple regions.
The system now automatically revokes permissions from apps identified as potentially harmful, restricting their access to sensitive data such as storage and photos. The feature addresses growing concerns about permission abuse, particularly in light of recent threats like the Ghost Tapping malware and FireScam attacks. Users retain the ability to manually restore these permissions if they determine the app to be safe.
A new verification badge system has been implemented for specific app categories, including VPNs and official government services, providing users with clear indicators of vetted applications. The development matches broader industry efforts to combat app impersonation, such as India’s recent CNAP system for verified caller identification. The platform has also enhanced its threat detection capabilities through AI integration, with 92 percent of human reviews for harmful apps now using AI assistance to speed up the review process.
The enhanced fraud protection system has demonstrated significant impact, protecting 10 million devices from over 36 million risky installation attempts in 2024, encompassing more than 200,000 unique applications. The system specifically targets apps that might abuse sensitive permissions for financial fraud, building on Google’s ongoing efforts to secure digital payments and wallet services.
Play Protect’s daily operations include scanning more than 200 billion apps, with real-time code-level scanning for new applications to identify emerging threats such as polymorphic malware. In 2024, this scanning capability identified over 13 million new malicious apps originating from outside the Google Play store.
The enhanced fraud protection system has expanded to nine regions globally, including Brazil, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam. The expansion represents Google’s effort to address emerging threats across diverse markets, particularly in regions experiencing rapid growth in mobile banking and digital payments adoption.
Sources: Pocket-lint, Wikipedia, Indian Express, Google Security Blog
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