One notable achievement was the fact that over 91% of app installs on the Google Play Store in 2024 are now protected by the latest Android 13 security features

Google has significantly strengthened its efforts to protect Android users in 2024, according to the company’s latest security report. The tech giant announced that it blocked over 2.36 million apps from being published on the Google Play Store for violating its policies. Additionally, Google banned more than 158,000 developer accounts that attempted to upload harmful apps, a clear indication of its commitment to maintaining a safer platform for users worldwide.

Stronger privacy and data security

Alongside blocking malicious apps, Google focused on improving privacy protections for users. In 2024, the company prevented 1.3 million apps from gaining unnecessary or excessive access to sensitive user data by collaborating with third-party developers to enforce stringent privacy guidelines. Google Play Protect, an in-built security feature on Android devices, identified 13 million new malicious apps that originated outside the official Play Store, further safeguarding users from external threats.

One notable achievement was the fact that over 91% of app installs on the Google Play Store in 2024 are now protected by the latest Android 13 security features. This reflects the effectiveness of Google’s ongoing security efforts, which have shown steady improvement over the past years. For comparison, in 2022, Google blocked 1.43 million harmful apps, and in 2023, 2.28 million apps were blocked. These statistics underscore the growing effectiveness of Google’s app review and security systems.

Moreover, the company reported an 80% decrease in the use of apps from unverified sources, thanks to the increased adoption of the Play Integrity API by developers. This API helps detect and prevent app tampering or suspicious behaviour, thus reducing the risk posed by apps running in compromised environments.

Preventing sideloading and new security measures

Google has also introduced measures to block the sideloading of unsafe apps in various regions, including Brazil, India, and South Africa. These efforts have prevented over 36 million risky installation attempts, protecting more than 10 million devices from malicious apps. Furthermore, Google has introduced a new “Verified” badge for VPN apps that pass the Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA), ensuring users can easily identify apps that prioritize security and privacy.

New threat: Tria Stealer malware

Despite these extensive efforts, new threats continue to emerge. One of the most recent threats is the Tria Stealer malware, which primarily targets Android users in Malaysia and Brunei. Distributed via Telegram and WhatsApp, the malware steals sensitive information from messaging apps and emails. The stolen data is then used for scams, including impersonating victims to request money transfers from their contacts.

These evolving threats highlight the ongoing challenge of securing mobile devices against ever-more sophisticated attacks. However, Google’s continuous efforts to improve its security framework demonstrate its commitment to protecting Android users and maintaining the integrity of the Google Play ecosystem.