Google has pulled 77 malicious apps from the Play Store, part of a massive cleanup that saw nearly 4 million apps removed in the past year for violations.
Most removals were tied to privacy and data issues. By early 2024, the Play Store had already lost nearly half its apps, with 155,000 developer accounts cut.
Deleted apps remain on devices but can’t get updates. Google urges users to uninstall outdated apps, as Play Protect may flag dangerous ones for removal.
Experts warn this “digital purge” may give a false sense of safety. A new Uninstall button is being tested to simplify deletions and protect users from threats.
