Google Play is rolling out verification badges for VPN apps, ensuring users can identify secure and privacy-focused services.
Announced on Tuesday, this initiative aims to highlight VPNs that meet Google’s stringent security standards. The verified badge will be displayed on an app’s details page and search results, assuring that the VPN has passed Google’s security evaluation.
To qualify for the badge, VPN apps must:
- Complete a Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) Level 2 validation
- Have at least 10,000 installs and 250 user reviews
- Be published on Google Play for at least 90 days
- Submit information about data collection practices
- Opt into independent security audits
While these are the core requirements, Google notes that other factors are also considered. However, meeting these conditions significantly improves an app’s chances of earning the verification badge.
This update is part of Google’s ongoing push for transparency and security in the Play Store. In 2022, the company introduced privacy labels, and later, a security badge indicating whether an app had undergone an independent security review. The new VPN verification system further reinforces Google’s commitment to helping users make informed choices when downloading apps.
