(MENAFN) Google plans to implement a stricter Android developer verification process next year to reinforce Play Store security, following a report showing apps installed outside the official store carried 50 times more malware.

The company announced in August that the updated policy would introduce an additional security layer to the app publishing workflow.

Currently, developers submitting apps to the Play Store provide identity and contact information and verify ownership of a physical Android device. Under the new system, they will be required to register via the Android Developer Console, submit official identification, update contact details, pay a one-time registration fee, and provide an application signing key.

The enhanced verification rules will initially roll out in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand in September 2026, before expanding globally in 2027 and beyond.

Google says the measures aim to better protect users by curbing fraud, phishing, and malware distributed through deceptive or fake apps.

A recent company report noted that the changes are designed to improve developer accountability and reduce abuses within the Android ecosystem.

However, the move has faced criticism from the Keep Android Open group. The organization argues that “the extensive verification process undermines the platform’s open-source philosophy.”

The group added that “requiring official identification may discourage privacy-focused independent developers and hurt small-scale software development over time.” It urged consumers and developers to appeal to local regulatory authorities, warning that the policy “risks harming the digital sovereignty rights of users and governments.”

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