• Source:JND
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Google has confirmed the removal of 77 malicious apps from the Play Store, which together racked up more than 19 million downloads before being taken down. But this is only a fraction of a much bigger cleanup effort.

According to Surfshark, backed by Google’s own transparency data, nearly four million apps were deleted from the store in 2024 alone. That’s about 11,000 removals every single day. Alongside this purge, around 155,000 developer accounts were also banned for policy violations.

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Stricter Rules and Developer Verification

The aggressive removals follow Google’s promise to toughen app policies. Enforcement has already slashed the Play Store’s overall app count by nearly half. Google has also expanded its verification rules to cover sideloaded apps, meaning only approved developers will be able to distribute software outside the official store.

The company advises users not to assume apps vanish by choice. If something disappears, chances are it broke the rules. As Google explains, “You can continue to use the app. However, you will not be able to update your app.” Play Protect may eventually flag unsafe apps and urge users to uninstall, but if not, they’ll remain on devices without security patches.

Users Still Need to Be Vigilant

Despite the sweeping crackdown, security experts warn that app safety ultimately depends on users. Surfshark described the mass deletions as “a staggering digital purge that goes unnoticed by the public,” cautioning that it may give people a false sense of security. Their advice: stick to trusted developers, review permissions carefully, and avoid sketchy apps.

New Play Store Feature in Testing

To make cleanup easier, Google is also testing an “Uninstall” button directly on app listings in the Play Store, according to Android Authority. At present, users must navigate through “Manage apps & devices” and remove apps one by one. The new button will streamline individual removals, though bulk deletions will still require the old method.

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New Malware Variant Emerges

Even with these efforts, threats remain. Zscaler’s ThreatLabz recently reported a fresh strain of Anatsa malware targeting more than 831 financial institutions worldwide. They flagged the 77 apps containing this malware, which Google has now removed from the Play Store.