Google Blocks Thousands of Accounts and Millions of Apps on Play Store in 2025 🔒

Published on February 20, 2026 | Translated from Spanish

Google has carried out a massive offensive in its app store over the past year. The company reports the blocking of thousands of developer accounts and the removal of millions of suspicious applications. This campaign focuses on curbing malware, fraud, and data theft, with the stated goal of increasing security and trust in the Android ecosystem.

A hand with a Google shield blocks thousands of suspicious app icons trying to enter an Android phone.

Automated Systems and Enhanced Verification: The New Technical Barrier 🤖

The strategy relies on automated systems and artificial intelligence to detect policy violations on a massive scale. These algorithms scan anomalous behaviors and code patterns associated with threats. In parallel, identity verification controls for developers have been strengthened, making it harder to create fraudulent accounts. Permissions and distribution of apps considered potentially dangerous are also limited before they scale.

Goodbye to "Battery Optimizers" That Drain It in 5 Minutes 👋

The purge has left the store noticeably lighter. Users may notice the absence of those magical apps that promised to double Wi-Fi speed or charge the battery with mental energy. It was touching to see how a RAM-saving app consumed 800 MB in the background by itself. Now, hopefully, the biggest risk when downloading a photo editor will be that your selfies look worse, not that your bank account disappears.