https://security.googleblog.com/2025/01/how-we-kept-google-play-android-app-ecosystem-safe-2024.html
Google blocked a record-breaking 2.36 million Android app submissions to the Play Store in 2024 due to policy violations. This surge in blocked apps is attributed to the increased use of AI-assisted human reviews, enabling faster and more accurate identification of harmful applications.
Furthermore, Google banned 158,000 developer accounts for attempting to publish malicious apps. These figures represent a significant increase compared to previous years.
Beyond blocking submissions, Google also took steps to prevent apps from obtaining excessive permissions and implemented stronger protections against malware and fraud.
Google Play Protect, Android’s built-in security system, scanned over 200 billion apps daily in 2024, identifying and blocking over 13 million new malware apps.
While these efforts have significantly improved Android’s security posture, the evolving threat landscape necessitates continuous vigilance. Users are advised to exercise caution when installing apps, only download from trusted sources, and keep their devices updated with the latest security patches.