Google makes it easier for users to separate real government apps from fake ones

Digilocker app

Google Play Store has a plethora of apps in its catalogue and the list keeps growing by the day. There are times when many counterfeit or fake apps act as legitimate government applications and tend to steal user data. The government of India had issued an advisory about fake passport apps in the past. It’s a valid concern when apps posing as official apps can potentially put your security at risk, making you question whether they can be used.

Google is now making the process of identifying official government applications easier with the new "Government" badge that is now rolling out on the Play Store. According to a report by 9to5Google, after months of testing, official badges are rolling out in over 14 countries to mark state and federal government apps.

This initiative aims to tackle the issue of fake apps impersonating official/government ones, which usually steal data or money from user’s accounts. These countries include Australia, Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Brazil, Indonesia, India, and Mexico.

The new Government Apps badge is available across more than 2,000 apps in these countries. In India apps like Digilocker, mAadhaar, and other official government apps now have the badge.

Further, Google plans to introduce this feature in other countries as well. Google has been working in tandem with app developers and the government to streamline this process.

The tech company first teased this feature back in November 2023, when it also announced new rules for app developers.

Once you tap on the badge, a pop-up appears displaying a message that says, “Play verified this app is affiliated with a government entity.” Google also says that it asks developers to submit proof if they have sufficient permission to process government documents for safety reasons.

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