Google Play introduces government badge for official state, federal apps

Google has announced the rollout of a new feature in the Play Store aimed at identifying official government apps across more than 14 countries.

This move comes after months of testing and is designed to help users distinguish genuine government apps from fraudulent ones that may attempt to steal personal data or money.

The new “Government” badge will appear on official state and federal government apps, covering over 2,000 apps in countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Brazil, Indonesia, India, and Mexico.

Google had hinted at this feature last November when it introduced new rules for app developers.

When users encounter an app with the Government badge, tapping on it will trigger a pop-up message confirming that “Play verified this app is affiliated with a government entity.”

This badge will also be visible in lists like “Top Charts” for apps.

Google has collaborated with governments and their developer partners to ensure the onboarding of apps with these badges.

In countries like India, where fake central and state government apps have been a recurring issue on the Play Store, this initiative aims to enhance user trust and safety.

While the Play Store already has policies in place to prohibit apps with false descriptions or misleading claims, Google’s new feature adds an extra layer of verification specifically for government-affiliated apps.

The company’s rules regarding deceptive behavior emphasize the importance of apps accurately representing their affiliation with government entities.

In order to maintain the integrity of government-related apps on the Play Store, Google requires developers to provide proof of authorization for processing government documents.

Additionally, it encourages government entities to use official email IDs when creating developer accounts to publish apps on Google Play.