🚨 Important News: Google Tightens Android Security
📅 Key Changes Starting September 2026
- All apps, including those outside Play Store, must be from a Verified Developer.
- No more anonymous sideloads, reducing malware resurgence.
- First rollout in: Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.
🔒 Developer Verification
Google will verify the identity of all developers distributing Android apps, even those outside Play Store. All apps must be registered by Verified Developers to be installable on supported Android devices. This ensures a critical level of accountability and prevents malicious actors from quickly reposting harmful apps after removal.
🗓 Timeline
- October 2025: Invitations start rolling out to developers.
- March 2026: System opens for all developers globally.
- September 2026: Full implementation in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.
💡 Statement from Google
Suzanne Frey, VP of Product, Trust, and Growth for Android: "At this stage, any app installed on a supported Android device in these regions must be registered by a Verified Developer."
📌 Impact on Developers & Users
- Developers distributing via Google Play are mostly compliant due to Play Console requirements.
- New Android Developer Console accounts are being prepared for students and hobbyists.
- Prevents impersonation of developers and creation of fake apps.
- Maintains User Choice while enhancing security against malware and scams.
🌐 Security Measures
Developer Verification adds a layer to existing Android security policies, preventing risky sideloads in countries like Singapore, Thailand, Brazil, and India. Since July 2023, all new developer accounts must provide a D-U-N-S Number for building user trust.
⚖️ Context & Industry Impact
This policy comes as Google faces potential major changes in Play Store, including allowing Competing App Stores and granting competitors access to its full app catalog, following the 2020 Epic Games antitrust lawsuit.
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