Google has announced a bulk app elimination scheduled for August 31. According to Forbes, the business is changing its Spam and Minimum Functionality policy to guarantee that apps satisfy higher functional and user experience standards.
Targeted applications include those “that are static without app-specific functionalities, for example, text only or PDF file apps, apps with very little content and that do not provide an engaging user experience, for example, single wallpaper apps, and apps that are designed to do nothing or have no function.”
Google is upping its quality bar, acknowledging that many seemingly innocent apps are used as conduits for malware or as ruses for more harmful alternatives. Google intends to tighten its net by focusing on apps with little legitimate function.
It is likely that several popular apps with millions of installs, as well as legitimate low-quality apps, would fail to fulfill the new standards.
Google tells developers that apps should “provide a stable, responsive, and engaging user experience.” Apps that break, lack basic functionality, or fail to provide engaging content will not be allowed on Google Play.
These adjustments are part of broader improvements to Play Store security. Google’s policy changes on July 17 include improved malware prevention, requiring developers to remove third-party code from known malware distributors, and enacting stronger spyware prevention and enforcement guidelines.
Developers should not be shocked by these changes, as they have six weeks to assure compliance.
The next Android 15 will include the most comprehensive set of privacy and security enhancements in a single version.
Android 15 will include “live threat detection,” which will utilize on-device AI to “analyse behavioural signals related to the use of sensitive permissions and interactions with other apps and services” in order to rapidly alert offenders.
This will shorten the period between an app malfunctioning and being removed.
