Google tightens policy to tackle malicious Android apps

There are reports that almost every Android device is infected with malicious applications, as warned by British Telecom, which has come up with some eyebrowraising statements about the Android operating system. It seems Google has taken a note of this, and has changed the rules for applications on its Android mobile operating system in a bid to cut down on malicious apps.

The new policy changes for apps submitted to the Google Play application store include new rules on app naming, a ban on apps that disclose personal information without permission and more details on the payment policy.

It seems that Google is in no mood to destroy Android’s popularity and has sent strict instructions to app developers. Stricter controls on app names and icons have been introduced to eliminate copycat apps that attempt to trick users. According to a Tech Radar report, Google's new terms tell GeYeORSeUV: "'Rn’W SUeWenG WR Ee VRPeRne eOVe, anG GRn’W UeSUeVenW WhaW your application is authorised by or produced by another company or organisation, if that is not the case.” Also, developers are warned that apps that introduce security vulnerabilities or ‘harm user devices’ will not be permitted.

Google is also getting strict about spamming. It has set down new rules against apps that 'spam' users by delivering repetitive content or the ones WhaW WUy WR achLeYe EeWWeU SRVLWLRnV Ln Whe GRRJOe 3Oay VWRUe Ey aUWLficLaOOy ERRVWLnJ UaWLnJV. ,n a OeWWeU WR aSS GeYeORSeUV, Whe AnGURLG WeaP wURWe: “We are constantly striving to make Google Play a great community for developers and consumers. This requires us to update our policies when we launch new features, like subscription billing, and also when we see unhealthy behaviour, OLNe GeceSWLYe aSS naPeV anG VSaPPy nRWLficaWLRnV.”