Google will now show labels in Play Store to denote official government apps

https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/02/google-will-now-show-labels-in-play-store-to-denote-official-government-apps/

Today, after months of testing, Google is rolling out labels in the Play Store to denote official state and federal government apps in more than 14 countries. This new label will help users rule out apps that masquerade as official apps to steal money or data.

The company said that these badges currently cover more than 2,000 apps in countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Brazil, Indonesia, India, and Mexico. Last November, the company teased this feature when it announced new rules for app developers.

Users will be able to see a new “Government” badge on official apps. If they tap on the badge, a pop-up displays a message saying, “Play verified this app is affiliated with a government entity.” The badge also shows up in lists like “Top Charts” for apps.

Google said it has worked with governments and their developer partners to onboard apps with badges. In India, the company has faced problems with numerous fake central and state government apps popping up on the Play Store to dupe people.

The company noted that Play Store’s policy already doesn’t allow apps with false descriptions, misleading icons, or screenshots — especially the ones claiming to be official apps.

A common violation includes “apps that falsely claim affiliation with a government entity or to provide or facilitate government services for which they are not properly authorized,” Google’s rule about deceptive behavior read.

Google said that it asks developers to submit proof if they have sufficient permission to process government documents for safety reasons. It also encourages the government to use official email IDs to create developer accounts on Google Play to publish apps.

Ivan covers global consumer tech developments at TechCrunch. He is based out of India and has previously worked at publications including Huffington Post and The Next Web. You can reach out to him at im[at]ivanmehta[dot]com

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  "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/02/google-will-now-show-labels-in-play-store-to-denote-official-government-apps/",
  "title": "Google will now show labels in Play Store to denote official government apps | TechCrunch",
  "description": "Today, after months of testing, Google is rolling out labels in the Play Store to denote official state and federal government apps in more than 14 countries. This new label will help users rule out apps that...",
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  "content": "<div>\n\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t<div><p>Today, after <a href=\"https://twitter.com/AssembleDebug/status/1759117420525216087\" target=\"_blank\">months</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/AssembleDebug/status/1735520146054357365\" target=\"_blank\">of testing</a>, Google is rolling out labels in the Play Store to denote official state and federal government apps in more than 14 countries. This new label will help users rule out apps that masquerade as official apps to steal money or data.</p>\n<p>The company said that these badges currently cover more than 2,000 apps in countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Brazil, Indonesia, India, and Mexico. Last November, the company <a href=\"https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/09/google-play-tightens-up-rules-for-android-app-developers-to-require-testing-increased-app-review/\" target=\"_blank\">teased this feature</a> when it announced new rules for app developers.</p>\n<p>Users will be able to see a new “Government” badge on official apps. If they tap on the badge, a pop-up displays a message saying, “Play verified this app is affiliated with a government entity.” The badge also shows up in lists like “Top Charts” for apps.</p>\n<figure><img src=\"https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg\" alt=\"Google Play government badge\" srcset=\"https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg 1398w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg?resize=150,88 150w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg?resize=300,176 300w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg?resize=768,452 768w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg?resize=680,400 680w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg?resize=1200,706 1200w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg?resize=1280,753 1280w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg?resize=430,253 430w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg?resize=720,423 720w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg?resize=900,529 900w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg?resize=800,470 800w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg?resize=668,393 668w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg?resize=638,375 638w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg?resize=1049,617 1049w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Government-Badges-UX-_-Surface-2.jpeg?resize=708,416 708w\" /><figcaption><strong>Image Credits:</strong> Screenshot from Google Play Store</figcaption></figure>\n<p>Google said it has worked with governments and their developer partners to onboard apps with badges. In India, the company has faced problems with numerous fake <a href=\"https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/beware-of-fake-digilocker-apps-on-google-play-store-3028784/\" target=\"_blank\">central</a> and <a href=\"https://www.news9live.com/state/karnataka/karnataka-citizens-fall-prey-to-shakti-smart-card-gruha-lakshmi-fake-apps-on-google-playstore-2211293\" target=\"_blank\">state government</a> apps popping up on the Play Store to dupe people.</p>\n<p>The company noted that Play Store’s policy already doesn’t allow apps with false descriptions, misleading icons, or screenshots — especially the ones claiming to be official apps.</p>\n<p>A common violation includes “apps that falsely claim affiliation with a government entity or to provide or facilitate government services for which they are not properly authorized,” Google’s rule about <a href=\"https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9888077?hl=en#zippy=%2Cexamples-of-common-violations\" target=\"_blank\">deceptive behavior</a> read.</p>\n<p>Google said that it asks developers to submit proof if they have sufficient permission to process government documents for safety reasons. It also encourages the government to use official email IDs to create developer accounts on Google Play to publish apps.</p>\n</div>\n<div>\n<div>\n\t<p>\n\t\tIvan covers global consumer tech developments at TechCrunch. He is based out of India and has previously worked at publications including Huffington Post and The Next Web. You can reach out to him at im[at]ivanmehta[dot]com\t</p>\n</div>\n\t<p>\n\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://techcrunch.com/author/ivan-mehta/\">View Bio <svg></svg></a>\n\t</p>\n</div>\n\t\t</div>\n\t\t<div>\n<h2 id=\"h-most-popular\">Most Popular</h2>\n</div>\n\t</div><div>\n\t\t<div>\n\t<div>\n\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t<h3>Newsletters</h3>\n\t\t</div>\n\t\t<p>Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news</p>\n\t</div>\n</div>\n\t\t<h2>Related</h2>\n\t\t<div>\n<h2>Latest in Apps</h2>\n</div>\n\t</div>",
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