Artificial intelligence is becoming a key weapon in the fight against mobile malware and Google is using it to strengthen Android security. In 2025 alone, the company blocked over 1.75 million harmful apps from reaching the Play Store and removed more than 80,000 malicious developer accounts.
Google has integrated AI directly into its app review process to detect complex threats faster, while also limiting apps that request unnecessary sensitive data. It also cracked down on fake ratings and review bombing, blocking 160 million spam reviews.
Security measures extend beyond the Play Store. Google Play Protect now scans over 350 billion apps daily and detected 27 million new malicious apps from outside official sources last year. Enhanced protections also blocked 266 million risky app installations and prevent users from disabling security features during phone calls, a tactic often used in scams.
Looking ahead, Google plans to expand developer verification and introduce new protections in Android 16, including built-in defenses against tapjacking attacks with minimal code.
Source: Android Authority
