In 2025, Google Play significantly reduced malware threats by leveraging advanced AI systems, according to Google's latest Android app ecosystem safety report. The company reported a decrease in policy-violating apps, with 1.75 million blocked from publication, down from 2.36 million in 2024 and 2.28 million in 2023.
AI and Security Enhancements
Google attributes this decline to increased investments in proactive security measures and AI technology. The company has implemented initiatives such as developer verification, mandatory pre-review checks, and rigorous testing requirements. These measures have raised the bar for app publication, effectively deterring malicious actors.
In 2025, Google banned over 80,000 developer accounts for attempting to publish harmful apps, a significant drop from 158,000 in 2024 and 333,000 in 2023. The integration of generative AI models into the app review process has enhanced the ability of human reviewers to detect complex malicious patterns swiftly.
Impact on User Safety
Google's efforts have also prevented more than 255,000 apps from gaining excessive access to sensitive user data, a decrease from 1.3 million in 2024. Additionally, the company blocked 160 million spam ratings and reviews, protecting app ratings from manipulation.
Android’s Google Play Protect identified over 27 million new malicious apps, warning users or blocking them, marking an increase from 13 million non-Play Store apps in 2024 and 5 million in 2023. This suggests a shift in tactics by bad actors, who are increasingly avoiding the Play Store when targeting users.
