Google has confirmed the drawing of 77 malicious apps from Play Store. But this is only part of a very large cleaning. In the previous year, Google removed approximately four million apps, which serve for approximately 11,000 expenses each day reported by Forbes.
Supported by Google’s own transparency reports, the number comes from Surfshark. Surfshark says that more than half of them were bound by data security or privacy violations.
Google removes millions of apps, the developer harasses rules
Google promised to tighten the rules for apps last year, and the results are clear. In early 2024, the Play Store was already lost to half of its app due to enforcement. Along with the expulsion, Google reported to cut around 155,000 developer accounts in 2024. Google is expanding its requirement for verified developers, which is limiting distribution to those who meet its standards, to cover the sideloaded app.
Google recommends that if an app disappears from the Play Store, it was probably drawn to break the rules, so not that a developer voluntarily removed it. But removing from the store does not mean removing from your phone. “You can continue using the app. However, you will not be able to update your app,” says Google. If it is marked as dangerous, the Play Protect may motivate you to uninstall. Otherwise, the app will not have any other safety patch on your device.
Users are urged to remove the old apps themselves. Surfshark warns, “Responsibility comes to practice habits safely on users. This includes app permissions, reading reviews, and sticking to famous developers.”
Surfshark called the situation “a shocking digital parj that does not pay any attention by the public,” saying that this app can create a false sense of safety around security.
Also Read: Google Play has warned not to download these free apps. What to see here
Google tests the new play store “Uninstall” button to remove easy app
Meanwhile, the Android Authority reports that Google Play is testing a new uninstall feature in the Store. A “uninstall” button may soon appear on the individual app listing, making users remove the apps from distance. Right now, you have to dig through “Manage apps and devices” and use the trash icon one by one. The new button should make single deletion easier, although bulk removals will still rely on the existing system.
For the latest danger, Zscaler’s Walricalabz team says that a new version of Anatsa Malware is spreading through apps that were more targeted than 831 financial institutions worldwide. He reported 77 malicious apps to Google, which were more than 19 million installed simultaneously before being removed.
