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Android Developers Blog
fresh pair of eyes

Google is now getting humans to review all Android apps

As well as using automated tools, Google’s staff will check each app and update before they’re approved.

GOOGLE PLAY MAY have tightened its rules regarding the type of apps that make it to its store, but it’s now taken its biggest step towards ensuring nothing slips through the net.

All apps and updates will be manually reviewed by Google’s staff before they are made available on Google Play.

Google says the new system has been in place for a number of months already. Before that, all apps were scanned for malware instead of being reviewed, so while apps were released and updated faster, the chance that malware or inappropriate content slipping through the net was higher.

Now the process involves a team identifying any apps that violate its policies, which Google says happens hours after submission. It also claims that there has been “no noticeable change” since introducing this as it combines both personal reviews with automated tools.

By comparison. Apple’s review process usually takes a week, using both automated tools and people to review apps and updates before they’re approved.

The second update concerns its content rating system. Instead of having one general rating for everyone, the new system will show the age rating for that specific territory. In Ireland’s case, the rating from the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) will be displayed beside apps and games.

image00 Android Developers Blog Android Developers Blog

By May, all new apps and updates will require a completed questionnaire before they are published on the Google Play store.

Read: This company wants you to pay for goods by smiling at your camera >

Read: Nintendo is finally going to start making smartphone games >

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