Sceptical about that free VPN app? Google Play Store will now tell you if it’s secure

Google has added a new security banner to the Google Play Store that shows you which apps have been verified by a third party security assessment.

Google is making it easier to find secure VPN apps on Android with a new security banner. (Image: Dan Nelson/Unsplash)

Starting today, Google is rolling out a new security banner for certain types of apps in the Google Play Store. The banner will show you which apps have been verified by the Mobile App Security Assessment (MASA), a standard that Google introduced last year to evaluate the security and privacy practices of mobile apps. The banner will first appear for VPN apps, which handle a lot of sensitive and personal data from users.

The banner will explain that the app has been validated for the minimum global security standard, and it will display a badge that indicates the app’s MASA status. You can also find the badge in the data safety section of the app, where you can learn more about how the app protects your data.

(Image: Google)

The MASA is conducted by a third party that follows a comprehensive checklist of security and privacy criteria. The assessment covers topics such as encryption, authentication, data storage, network communication, and user consent. Apps that pass the MASA are following at least the minimum industry mobile security and privacy standards.

Story continues below this ad

If you want to see which apps have been reviewed by the MASA, or if you want to learn more about the assessment process, you can tap on the “Learn More” button in the banner or in the data safety section. This will take you to the App Validation Directory, where you can find a complete list of verified apps and additional technical details about the assessment.

Google says it will expand the security banner to other app categories in the future, as part of its ongoing efforts to make Android apps safer and more transparent for users.

Tags:
Google
VPN