Google’s Malware Battle: New Android Verification to Block Sneaky Sideloaded Apps
Google is turning up the heat on malware with Developer Verification. By 2026, Android apps must come from verified developers to avoid being blocked. The new rule aims to cut down on malicious sideloaded apps, because apparently malware has been getting a little too comfortable crashing the Android party.
Hot Take:
In a move that’s bound to make shady app developers break into a cold sweat, Google is stepping up its game with a new ‘Developer Verification’ program. It’s like a bouncer for your Android device, and it’s not letting any uninvited malware crash the party. Say goodbye to the Wild West of sideloading, and hello to a safer Android ecosystem. But don’t worry, the shady characters will still have their playground on non-certified devices. It’s a classic tale of the good, the bad, and the malware.
Key Points:
- Google’s new ‘Developer Verification’ aims to curb malware from sideloaded apps outside Google Play.
- Apps on Google Play already require a D-U-N-S number for added security.
- The new verification applies to both Google Play and third-party app stores.
- Mandatory verification for all certified Android devices by 2027.
- Non-certified devices remain a haven for unverified app installations.