Google has reportedly removed several apps from its Play Store after the company found that these apps were collecting users’ personal data, including location, phone numbers and email addresses. Google said it regularly takes “appropriate action” against apps that don’t follow its policy. Recently, Google removed six apps infected with the Sharkbot Bank Stealer malware from the Play Store. Touted as an antivirus solution, the apps were downloaded 15,000 times before being pulled from the Play Store.
1 Crore+ Downloaded Few Apps
A QR code scanner, a weather app and a Muslim prayer app are among the latest batch of over a dozen apps pulled from the Google Play Store, according to a BBC report. These apps allegedly contained malicious code that stole people’s data, the report said, adding that some of the apps have been downloaded more than 10 million (i.e. 1 crore) times. The BBC quoted a Google spokesperson as saying: “All apps on Google Play, regardless of developer, must comply with our policies. When we determine that an app violates these policies, we take appropriate action.” ”
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What does Google’s policy say?
In accordance with Google’s Developer Content Policy, apps that are deceptive, malicious, or intended to abuse or abuse any network, device, or personal data are strictly prohibited from the Google Play Store. App developers have also been warned that they should be clear about the information they share with users.
Google removed six apps from the Play Store
This issue came to the fore when Google has removed six apps from the Play Store. These apps were designed to be presented as an antivirus solution for Android smartphones. The apps were infected with the Sharkbot Bank Stealer malware, and they were downloaded 15,000 times. Apps targeting the phone used a geofencing feature to steal login credentials of users in Italy and the United Kingdom.
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Earlier this year, a security firm discovered an app that was stealing users’ financial information on Android smartphones. The app was posing as an open-source application that provides similar functionality. It was infected with a nefarious banking Trojan, and was downloaded over 10,000 times before it was removed from the Google Play Store.