Google will properly label ‘government apps’ now so you don’t get scammed – Technology News

With the recent conundrum around  ‘deepfakes’ along with other industry players, Google is also introducing a new feature that will indicate if an app is published by the government or not. Google explained that the move will allow users to identify if the app they are looking at is legitimate or not.

All you need to do is click on an app name to see its description. And you will see a new “Government” badge just below the app name. Tapping the badge will lead you to a pop-up that shows a message saying “Play verified this app is affiliated with a government entity”. 

The new feature will help users to identify if an app is genuine or not. Early incidents of scams using voice cloning and face morphing using ‘deepfake’ have grabbed the attention of regulatory bodies. Google aims to contribute to this process.  In addition to this Google also highlighted that the badge is also displayed in lists such as ‘Top Charts’.

The ‘deep’ crime of Deepfakes!

For the past few years, several fake apps duplicating government-sponsored apps have found their way to the Play Store. It is believed that Google has worked with about 14 different governments worldwide, which also includes the Government of India, in order to address this very issue.

Google says that at present over 2,000 apps in countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the United States and India bear the new badge. In India, the new badge will be available on apps such as Digilocker, mAdhaar, NextGen mParivahan and Voter Helpline, among others.

Industry reacts!

Google’s initiative to verify government apps on Android has the potential to solve the issue of data privacy and security, needed for citizens entrusting sensitive information to apps. Google added that it has often asked developers to submit proof if they are allowed to store and process government documents. Furthermore, it is also expected to encourage governments to use official email IDs to create developer accounts, on a global scale.

From what it is understood, Google’s move plans to follow India’s evolving Information Technology and Data Protection statutes, focusing on the need for stringent measures to safeguard user data, especially in government applications. “Verification processes empower users to make informed decisions about app usage, promoting transparency and accountability among government departments regarding their digital initiatives. Upholding security standards in government apps not only protects citizen data but also strengthens India’s cyber security posture against evolving threats, safeguarding national interests in the digital realm,” Siddharth Chandrashekhar, advocate and counsel, Bombay High Court, concluded.

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