Google Play AI systems block 1.75 million malicious apps as deterrence strategy takes hold

Google says its AI systems helped deter Play Store malware in 2025

Fewer bad actors are targeting Google Play with malicious apps, the company says, a shift that the tech giant credits with its increased investments in proactive security systems and AI technology. In its latest Android app ecosystem safety report released on Thursday, Google said it prevented 1.75 million policy-violating apps from being published on Google Play in 2025, down from 2.36 million in 2024 and 2.28 million in 2023. The annual report offers a look at how Google is keeping Android users safe by reviewing and monitoring apps to protect against malware, financial fraud, privacy invasions, sneaky subscriptions, and other threats. For instance, Google says it banned more than 80,000 developer accounts in 2025 that had tried to publish these types of bad apps. That figure is also down year-over-year from 158,000 in 2024, and 333,000 in 2023. Google touted how its investments in AI and other real-time defenses have helped fight these sorts of threats, but also how they served as a deterrent. "Initiatives like developer verification, mandatory pre-review checks, and testing requirements have raised the bar for the Google Play ecosystem, significantly reducing the paths for bad actors to enter," the company's blog post explained, adding that its "AI-powered, multi-layer protections" have been "discouraging bad actors from publishing malicious apps." Google noted it now runs over 10,000 safety checks on every app it publishes and continues to recheck apps after publication. The company has also integrated its latest generative AI models into the app review process, which has helped human reviewers find more complex malicious patterns faster. Google said it plans to increase its AI investments in 2026 to stay ahead of emerging threats. In addition, Google said it prevented more than 255,000 apps from gaining excessive access to sensitive user data, a figure that's down from 1.3 million in 2024. The company also blocked 160 million spam ratings and reviews last year, and prevented an average 0.5-star rating drop for apps targeted by review bombing. Meanwhile, Android's defense system, known as Google Play Protect, identified more than 27 million new malicious apps, and warned users or blocked the app from running. That's an increase from the 13 million non-Play Store apps identified in 2024 and five million seen in 2023. These increases seem to suggest that bad actors are now more often avoiding the Play Store when targeting users with their malicious apps.

Google Play used AI to help block 1.75 million bad apps in 2025

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. "Initiatives like developer verification, mandatory pre-review checks, and testing requirements have raised the bar for the Google Play ecosystem, significantly reducing the paths for bad actors to enter," the company said its blog. "This year, we'll continue to invest in AI-driven defenses to stay ahead of emerging threats and equip Android developers with the tools they need to build apps safely." Google has steadfastly justified its relatively high fees on app purchases and subscriptions by touting its investments in app safety. However, its Play store has been under pressure from regulators in Europe and other regions that claim it amounts to a monopoly. Last year, the company changed its fee structure for developers using alternative payment channels, but EU regulators recently claimed the company still isn't complying with Digital Markets Act regulations.

Android security gets aggressive as Google bans thousands of developers and millions of sketchy apps

Artificial intelligence is helping hackers find new ways to sneak malware onto your phone, so Google is fighting fire with fire. The Android world has always been a back-and-forth battle, but in 2025, Google cranked up its machine-learning defenses to catch scammers before they reach the Play Store. A new report from Vijaya Kaza, Google's vice president of App & Ecosystem Trust, says Google stopped over 1.75 million policy-breaking apps from reaching the Play Store last year. It also removed more than 80,000 developer accounts trying to publish harmful apps. How is Google making this happen? The answer is AI. The company says it has added AI models directly into the app review process. Human reviewers are still involved, but the AI helps find complex malicious patterns much faster than a person could by manually reviewing code. You also get more privacy protection automatically. Last year, Google blocked over 255,000 apps from asking for too much sensitive data, like location requests from apps that don't need it or photo access for a calculator. Developers also get help from tools like Play Policy Insights in Android Studio, which point out possible issues while they are still writing code. Spam is also being tackled. In 2025, Google blocked 160 million spam ratings and reviews, including fake five-star campaigns and organized efforts to lower an app's score. The company says it stopped an average 0.5-star drop for apps targeted by review bombing. The protections go beyond the Play Store. Google Play Protect, Android's built-in malware scanner, now checks over 350 billion apps every day. Last year, its real-time scanning found 27 million new malicious apps from outside Google Play. If you have ever installed an app from an untrusted website, you may have seen a warning appear. That is Play Protect at work. This feature is also improving. Enhanced fraud protection now blocks installations from internet sources, such as browsers or messaging apps, that request sensitive permissions. In 2025, it launched in 185 markets, covering 2.8 billion devices, and stopped 266 million risky installation attempts. That means 266 million times someone avoided installing something dangerous. Google also made changes to fight social engineering. If you are on a phone call, Play Protect now removes the option to turn it off. This is because scammers often try to convince people to disable their protections while they are distracted. Now, that method no longer works. Looking forward, Google says it will open developer verification to everyone this year, including students and hobbyists, but with a simpler process. In Android 16, a single line of code can now protect sensitive information, such as banking logins, from "tapjacking" attacks.

While You Were Snoozin', Google Play Was Catchin' Baddies

We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods. More info. Google shared a recap of 2025 in the world of Android and Google Play security. Huge numbers are thrown around. 27 million. 20 billion. 1.75 million. See, lots of numbers. As consumers, all we need to know is that Google has been working hard to build AI-powered tools and services to ensure our Android devices are out of harm's way. Time to give the aforementioned numbers a bit of context. Google reports that it prevented over 1.75 million policy-violating apps from being published onto Google Play and banned more than 80,000 developer accounts that attempted to publish harmful apps. Google Play runs over 10,000 safety checks on every app published, which led to the prevention of over 255,000 apps from getting excessive access to sensitive user data. The company is utilizing its own latest generative AI models in the review process, which helps the human review team find, "complex malicious patterns faster." Want more numbers? Google Play Protect scans over 350 billion Android apps daily. 350B. Daily. Last year, Play Protect's real-time scanning capability, "identified more than 27 million new malicious apps from outside Google Play, warning users or blocking the app to neutralize the threat." You get the point. There are bad actors out there who want your data and to turn your phone into a zombie device to do their bidding. Google ain't trying to hear all that. Going into 2026, Google provides the following statement. Our top priority remains making Google Play and Android the most trusted app ecosystems for everyone. This year, we'll continue to invest in AI-driven defenses to stay ahead of emerging threats and equip Android developers with the tools they need to build apps safely. Read Google's full 2025 security recap by following the link below.