Google has announced a significant overhaul of its built-in security service, Google Play Protect, designed to counter sophisticated new forms of malware—including apps leveraging artificial intelligence to evade detection. The update has already begun rolling out in India and will expand to all Android users worldwide over the coming months.
The enhanced Play Protect, which currently scans 125 billion apps daily, introduces two critical advancements:
The upgrades respond to escalating cybercrime tactics. According to Data.ai, phishing app attacks have surged by 30% since 2020, with mobile fraud losses now estimated in the billions annually. The revamped Play Protect aims to serve as a "digital shield" for Android's more than 3 billion active devices globally.