Google Play Store will now take three days for approving apps from *untrusted* developers

In its effort to restrict and even ban malicious app developers from its platform, Google Play Store developer support has recently confirmed that all new Android apps now require at least three days for approval.

Google is giving informing the app developers about the new rules by saying that “To help better protect our users, we’ll take more time to thoroughly review your app. Learn More (link to a Google support page).”

While explaining the review process the Google support team told a developer;

“Unfortunately, there is no escalation path, and there is nothing that can be done to expedite the review process. I completely understand your frustration, and I would love to be able to help you get your app approved immediately, but there is nothing I or my team can do.”

Developers might certainly do not like the longer review period, and the new rules make it harder for them to promote the exact launch date of a new app or an app update. But if it prevents malicious apps from getting installed from the Google Play Store, it will well be worth it from an Android user’s point of view.

It is worth mentioning here that Google Android malware has been under the spotlight frequently over the last few weeks. Recently, security researchers at Trend Micro have revealed that the Google Play Store hosted 85 apps ridden with adware. Worse still, these apps have netted more than 8 million downloads.

Meanwhile, a Google support page now states;

“Developers will receive a notification on their app’s Dashboard about how long this should take. We recommend that developers adjust their planning to include a buffer period of at least three days between submitting the app and going live.”

Another worth mentioning fact here is that the tech giant has recently updated its policy and banned several apps including cryptocurrency mining apps on Google Play Store. The new prohibited list on Google Play store also includes apps that “appeal to children but contain adult themes,” apps that impersonate people and lead to a certain fraudulent act and apps that force users to click ads or submit personal information for ads before full use of the app is granted.