Google has confirmed it has blocked more than 2.3 million apps as it publishes a new Android and Google Play security update—what you need to know.

Google's app store is encountering an issue on Android devices that's hampering user experiences.

Google has broken down how it protected Android users in 2024 by blocking apps, banning developers and adding enhanced security.

Google blocked 2.36 million apps and 158,000 developer accounts to maintain Play Store safety in 2024. 1.3 million apps had access to unnecessary permissions, curtailed by Google. Play Protect flagged 13 million new apps outside Google Play,

We’re talking permission abuse, which has always been a serious threat to users. A new report is just the latest “alarming” wake-up call, “uncovering alarming security and privacy concerns.” This latest research has also exposed “hardcoded secrets embedded within some apps… which poses a serious risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.”

AI became a hot topic. Its influence even bled into the Google Play security division, which used AI in 92% of app security reviews.

VPNs must also have at least 10,000 installs and 250 reviews, and have been published on the Google Play store for at least 90 days. In addition to this, the VPN must submit a Data Safety declaration, detailing how user data is collected, and opt-in to independent security reviews.

Google Play is rolling out "Verified" badges for select VPN apps to make it easier for users to find trust services. Apps with the badge prioritize user

Android phones and tablets have encountered a ‘Google Play Store keeps stopping’ error message. That system warning usually appears when Android apps crash. However, Google Play is working normally as far as we can tell.

Third-party validation for apps like VPNs is crucial for user safety. Google's new Verified badge in the Play Store ensures security for these apps. Specific criteria such as user reviews and encryption must be met for verification.