In a significant update on platform security, Google has revealed that its increased investments in AI-powered defense systems are successfully deterring bad actors from publishing malicious applications on the Google Play Store. The company’s latest Android app ecosystem safety report shows a notable decline in policy-violating app submissions in 2025.
This development signals a major shift in the security landscape, where proactive, AI-driven measures are not only catching threats but are also raising the barrier to entry for malicious developers.
A Proactive AI-Powered Defense
According to the report, Google prevented 1.75 million malicious or policy-violating apps from being published on the Play Store in 2025. This figure represents a considerable decrease from the 2.36 million apps blocked in 2024 and 2.28 million in 2023, suggesting the company’s enhanced security protocols are having a deterrent effect.
Furthermore, the number of banned developer accounts dropped to just over 80,000 in 2025, a steep fall from 158,000 in 2024 and 333,000 the year prior. Google credits this success to its “AI-powered, multi-layer protections,” which now include over 10,000 safety checks per app and the integration of generative AI to help human reviewers identify sophisticated threats more quickly.
The Shifting Threat Landscape
While the Play Store has become more secure, the report indicates that malicious actors are shifting their strategies. Google Play Protect, the on-device defense system for Android, identified over 27 million new malicious apps originating from outside the official Play Store.
This is a sharp increase from the 13 million non-Play apps identified in 2024 and five million in 2023. The trend highlights a growing risk for users who sideload applications from unverified sources and underscores the importance of relying on trusted app marketplaces.
Implications for the MENA App Ecosystem
For founders and developers in the MENA region, Google’s strategy offers a clear blueprint for building user trust. As the bar for entry into the Play Store rises, regional app developers must prioritize robust security and data privacy standards from the outset. Adhering to these stringent requirements not only ensures access to the platform but also serves as a crucial differentiator in a competitive market.
This shift also serves as a critical reminder for MENA’s rapidly growing user base about the dangers of downloading applications from unofficial sources. As the region’s digital economy expands, educating users on cybersecurity best practices is paramount to protecting the integrity of the entire ecosystem.
About Google
Google is a global technology company specializing in Internet-related services and products. These include online advertising technologies, a search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware. The company’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.
Source: TechCrunch
