Google removed 700,000 apps, kicked-out 100,000 developers
Stepping up its fight against bad apps and malicious developers, Google has removed over 700,000 Android apps from Play Store and also took down as many as 100,000 developers last year. Google Play Product Manager Andrew Ahn said they took down 70% more apps that violated the Google Play policies in 2017 than the apps they removed in 2016. Here's more.
99% apps identified, rejected even before installation
Ahn said they identified bad apps faster and took action against them earlier; 99% of apps with "abusive content" could be identified and rejected even before users could install them. To identify repeat offenders and malicious developer networks, Google even developed new techniques and detection models. Google said it would continue upgrading its models to act against "bad actors" trying to trick users.
Copycat apps still a problem on Play Store
In a Google blog post, Ahn wrote that "Copycat apps" -designed to resemble other popular apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, or banking apps- remain a "popular method" for deceiving Android users. They trick users through deceptive methods like using "confusable Unicode characters or hiding impersonating app icons in a different locale." According to Ahn, over 250,000 copycat apps were taken down last year.
Several apps with inappropriate content like porn, violence removed
For removing apps containing/promoting inappropriate content (pornography, extreme violence, hate, illegal activities), Google used improved machine learning models to sift through a massive number of app submissions and flag them for violations. It took down "tens of thousands of apps" last year thanks to its upgraded detection methods. Earlier in January, Google removed 60 gaming apps (some meant for children) as they contained pornographic-ads.
Google Play Protect reduces PHA install rates by 50%
Google said the launch of Play Protect -into which all of its malware scanning and detection technologies were integrated- last year reduced the annual PHA (Potentially Harmful Application) installation rates by 50% year-over-year. PHAs are apps containing malware that can harm users and their devices. PHAs include apps that are responsible for SMS fraud, phishing user information, or those that act as Trojans.
Committed to make Google Play the most-trusted, safe app-store: Ahn
"Despite the new and enhanced detection capabilities...a few (apps) still manage to evade and trick our layers of defense. We take these extremely seriously, and will continue to innovate our capabilities to better detect and protect against abusive apps and the malicious actors," stated Ahn.
