Can You Trust the Google Play Store? What You Should Know

Android & Android TV Users have undoubtedly used the Google Play Store to install applications on these popular devices.

However, Google Play is not always a safe bet for installing apps and shouldn’t be trusted fully when searching for options to install/download.

The Google Play Store is the most popular App Store on the planet, boasting over 2.5 billion active users and generating nearly $50 billion in profits annually.

With over 2 million apps to choose from, there is no shortage of choices that are readily available for installation on both Android phones/tablets as well as TV Boxes such as the NVIDIA SHIELD, BuzzTV, and onn 4K Pro.

It is important to understand, however, that not every app in the Google Play Store is safe for use and we will explain this more below.

Google Play Safety Precautions

Google takes tons of precautions with the apps it chooses to host in the Google Play Store. There is a strict vetting process that app developers must go through to get their product listed.

The platform even has built-in “Play Protect” for all Android/Google devices, which is a malware detection tool that scans every app installed on your device for potential threats. (Although those who sideload apps will want to disable this feature.)

Every app listed in the Google Play Store receives over 10,000 safety checks throughout the lifetime of the app, both before and after it has been introduced.

Recently, Google launched a safety campaign titled “Download Apps not Traps” with features that they hope will boost safety and transparency for App users.

Here are some of the notable advancements:

• Data Safety Section – Provides visibility on how apps collect, share, and protect your data
• Play Billing – A safe payment process where info is shared only between Google and the buyer
• Family/Children Controls – Additional requirements the app must meet regarding content and personal information

All of these are added to their extensive list of safety precautions that Google uses to ensure overall protection. However, this does not mean that you can always trust the apps available for download in the Play Store.

Why You Can’t Always Trust the Google Play Store

Even with all the precautions Google takes to ensure app safety, it does not always mean that every app available is safe to use and install. Oftentimes, bad actors create apps that are infected with malware, spyware, etc., and publish them for installation via Google Play.

There have been numerous instances in the past of applications “slipping through the cracks” and making their way into the Play Store where millions of people can install and use them which could be dangerous.

• “Unverified” Streaming Apps Top Charts in Brazil’s Google Play Store
• App in Google Play Contained Data Stealing Malware
• Malicious Apps with 5+ Million Downloads Available on Google Play
• Over 200 Malicious Apps on Google Play Downloaded by Millions

These examples from the past highlight the potential hazards associated with “verified” apps hosted on Google Play. Just because it is in the App Store doesn’t mean it is always safe to use!

In fact, many apps contain sophisticated trojans and other technologies that can steal your personal information and sell it to 3rd parties for a profit.

Some of these even contain malicious ads that try and persuade users into submitting financial data such as credit card information and more via phishing campaigns.

The main problem here is that most assume if you have installed the application from the Google Play Store, it has been fully vetted and is perfectly safe to use without any cause for concern. This is not always the case.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do that will protect you from unsafe apps in Google Play or any other App Store.

What You Can Do

We always preach the importance of using safety protocols whenever you are online, including both verified and unverified applications.

While it may seem as though Google Play completely protects you, we have shown why this is not always the case, and every app in the Play Store should not be trusted. Even with the extreme measures Google takes to ensure app integrity, sometimes apps are still malicious.

If you want to protect your personal data/information, the best way to do this is by always connecting to a trustworthy VPN Provider, which will encrypt your connection and make you virtually anonymous.

For even more security, use an anonymous email address (such as StartMail) so that your personal email address cannot be hacked, and you can sign up or register for different platforms/subscriptions without using personal info.

The last step to take for full security is to only make payments with Bitcoin or cryptocurrency which is an anonymous form of payment that will protect your financials.

What Do You Think?

We want to know your thoughts on the Google Play Store and various apps in Google Play containing malware, spyware, and more. Drop a comment below!

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