New Delhi, May 3 Google, the tech giant, has recently introduced a new feature on its Play Store to help users easily identify legitimate government apps. This development aims to address the growing problem of fake apps representing themselves as official government applications, which can often lead to data or financial theft.

As per a report of Times Now, the Google Play Store has now rolled out official "Government" badges in over 14 countries, including India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia. These badges are currently displayed on more than 2,000 apps, making it simpler for users to distinguish authentic apps from the fake ones. Google Banned Over 2 Million Policy-Violating Apps From Play Store in 2023.

Google has worked closely with governments and their developers to ensure a smooth rollout of these badges. This collaboration is particularly crucial in regions like India, where fake government apps have been a major concern in the past. The tech giant has also implemented additional measures to enhance the security and trustworthiness of these government-affiliated apps.

Identifying Authentic Government Apps

The new "Government" badge is prominently displayed on the official government apps and users can tap on it to see a message confirming that the app has been verified by the Play Store as being affiliated with a government entity. These badges will also be visible in app listings like "Top Charts," ensuring users can easily spot the genuine apps.

For apps that handle sensitive government documents, Google may ask developers to provide proof of authorisation before publishing the apps on the Google Play Store. Government entities are also encouraged to use official email addresses when creating developer accounts to submit apps to the store. Google Introduces Audio Emojis for Android Phones; Check Details and Know What To Expect.

This will likely ensure that only authorised entities have access to publish apps that deal with confidential government information. By verifying the developer's credentials and using official email addresses, Google aims to maintain the security and integrity of its app distribution platform for sensitive government-related content.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 03, 2024 02:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).