Google Play Protect Will ID Safe and Stable Android Devices

Google this week announced that it is expanding its Android certification program for hardware makers to include a new Google Play Protect logo that will help consumers find secure and stable devices.

“Google provides certification for Android devices to make sure users receive secure and stable experiences,” the Google announcement notes. “We work with manufacturers across the globe to run hundreds of compatibility tests that ensure devices adhere to the Android security and permissions model. These tests also verify that the Google apps pre-installed on devices are authentic, and that apps from the Play Store can work as intended.”

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According to the platform maker, Google Play Protect will provide users with a baseline protection against malware, privacy hacks, and more.

As it turns out, any major Android maker—Samsung, HTC, OnePlus, whatever—already offer this certification. But Google Play Protect is probably more relevant for smaller device makers, especially if a user is unsure about them. And now they’ll have something to look for: The Google Play Protect logo on the box.

“We recommend asking for a certified device or looking for the Google Play Protect logo on the box, to make sure it brings the benefits of certification and additional layers of security provided by Play Protect,” Google notes.

You can find out more about Google Play Protect on the Android website.

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Conversation 7 comments

  • david.thunderbird

    28 August, 2017 - 7:03 pm

    <p>Just NOW? where the hell have they been? </p>

  • MikeGalos

    28 August, 2017 - 7:26 pm

    <p>With Google's history of intercepting and monitoring user data, you have to wonder if this is an anti-malware or just anti-competitive action to give them exclusive spyware rights. But, hey, they're not evil. They said so.</p>

    • Tony Barrett

      29 August, 2017 - 7:40 am

      <blockquote><a href="#169232"><em>In reply to MikeGalos:</em></a></blockquote><p>Do you think Microsoft, or Facebook, Amazon or even Apple are any different? Your data is invaluable to them – that's where the money is. You are just a monetized $ sign that all these big companies use. Don't just point the finger at Google. </p>

      • James Wilson

        29 August, 2017 - 8:46 am

        <blockquote><a href="#169290"><em>In reply to ghostrider:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Certainly I would think that Microsoft and Apple are different. They do collect data but not to the same personal extent that Google does. Facebook is, in my opinion, is bad – but not quite as bad as google but they collect data in a different way i.e. who you know, your friends habits etc. Google essentially tracks you, location wise as well as what you say, do.</p><p><br></p><p>Most of the Android DCD's (Data Collection Devices) – you call them phones – are locked to Google Store – nobody would buy them if they weren't. This mean Google has full access to all your data (as per their terms and conditions). Some people are happy to do this in exchange for the services Google provides and ironically, Google needs this level of intrusion to be able to provide you with the services it does.</p>

  • noocyte

    29 August, 2017 - 4:41 am

    <p>"Google Play Protect Will ID Safe and Stable Android Devices" – Am I the only one that does not understand that heading? To me it reads like one of those fake/stolen/ad/scam-sites… </p>

  • StevenLayton

    29 August, 2017 - 5:22 am

    <p>When I look at the Google Play Protect logo, all I can see is Xbox!</p>

  • Waethorn

    29 August, 2017 - 11:12 am

    <p>Hmm… I wonder if this means that preloaded apps are registered with the Play Store instead of being sideloaded by the OEM so that they update automatically from the Play Store without any first-time user feedback.</p><p><br></p><p>I also wonder if this includes any sort of Android update certification for Android Oreo going forward. Google's already stated that they have a carrier servicing model/module that separates carrier support from the OS baseline image so that Google can provide security updates more frequently. I wonder how this will work in practise, since they still have the manufacturers to contend with.</p>

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