Google Introduces Security Review Badges for Android VPN Apps

The growing need for digital privacy and security has led Google to introduce an Independent Security Review badge for Play Store apps. Found in the Data safety section of Android apps, the badge is displayed for apps that have passed the Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) audit.

Introduced last year by the App Defense Alliance (ADA), MASA allows developers to have their apps independently reviewed against a global security standard. The requirements to meet minimum security and privacy standards include data storage and privacy, authentication and session management, cryptography, network communication, platform interaction, and code quality.

When displayed, the badge not only declares the developers’ commitment to user security, but also promotes transparency, thus, enabling users to make more informed choices.

However, a user needs to keep in mind that the certification to baseline security standards does not ensure that the app is free of vulnerabilities. It only helps ‘’users see at-a-glance that a developer has prioritized security and privacy practices and committed to user safety,’’ the post stated.

Starting with VPNs, Google will display this Play store banner in the Data Safety section. “We’ve launched this banner beginning with VPN apps due to the sensitive and significant amount of user data these apps handle,” Android Security and Privacy Team’s Nataliya Stanetsky said.

Many VPNs make claims about maintaining user anonymity and following a no-log policy, and to support these claims, some even undergo third-party audits. However, to secure this badge, they also need to conduct the MASA review from a list of approved security partners.

The VPN companies that have already undergone the audit and received the badge include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Private Internet Access, and SkyVPN.

Google continues to encourage other VPN providers to submit a form for independent security review, thus promoting greater transparency on its Play Store.