Google Play Store introduces Verified logo for trusted VPN apps
VPNs are meant to protect your data and safeguard your privacy, but how do you know which VPNs actually do what they promise? Google has taken action in the Play Store to keep users informed and help them find secure VPNs with the launch of a new Verified badge.
The badge (a shield with a checkmark and the word “Verified” underneath) will be prominently displayed in Play Store search results and on an app’s details page. It indicates that the specified VPN app complies with Play security guidelines and has Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) Level 2 validation.
This badge will help VPN providers stand out in a fairly crowded market, Google says, and promote verified VPN apps. The benefit to consumers is that it will help them weed out bad apps. For more information about the app, see the Data Security section. There you will find out how data is handled, what personal data is collected, whether data and information is shared with third parties, whether independent audits have been carried out, etc.
The Play Store has been providing such badges for some time, which is inevitable given the sheer number of apps on the marketplace. One example of this is Google’s introduction of a badge last year specifically for apps created by government agencies. This is designed to help users identify legitimate apps published by their local authorities and government bodies.
