AI Armor: Google Blocks 1.75 Million Harmful Apps from Play Store in 2025
Using artificial intelligence (AI), Google blocked 1.75 million harmful apps from the Google Play Store in 2025, the company revealed in a report published on Friday (February 20). The news was reported by Engadget.
According to Google, the number of blocked harmful apps stood at 2.36 million in 2024. The company attributed the decline in 2025 to its “AI-powered multilayered security system,” which it says is deterring malicious actors from attempting to publish harmful applications in the first place.
Google stated that more than 10,000 security checks are now conducted before any app is published on the Play Store, with continued testing even after release. By leveraging the latest generation of generative AI models, human reviewers are reportedly able to detect malicious patterns more quickly and effectively.
In addition, Google blocked 160 million spam ratings in 2025. This helped protect apps targeted by “review bombing”—a coordinated surge of negative reviews—from experiencing an average rating drop of 0.5 stars. During the same year, 255,000 apps attempting to gain excessive access to sensitive user data were blocked, compared to 1.3 million in 2024.
Android’s built-in security system, Google Play Protect, identified more than 27 million new malicious apps and either warned users or prevented those apps from running. The company added that Play Protect’s enhanced fraud protection is now active across 2.8 billion Android devices in 185 markets and has blocked 266 million risky “side-loading” attempts—instances where users try to install apps from third-party sources.
In a blog post, Google said that initiatives such as developer verification, mandatory pre-review processes, and stricter testing requirements have improved the overall quality of the Google Play ecosystem and significantly reduced entry points for bad actors. The company emphasized that it will continue investing in AI-driven defenses to counter emerging threats while equipping Android developers with tools to build safer applications.
It is worth noting that Google often cites its investment in app security to justify comparatively higher fees on app purchases and subscriptions. However, European regulators have repeatedly accused Google Play of operating under a monopolistic business structure. Although the company introduced alternative payment channels for developers last year, European Union regulators recently alleged that Google is not fully complying with the regulations set under the Digital Markets Act.
DBTech/BMT/OR
