Google Cracks Down on Malicious Ads with 8.3 Billion Blocks, Enhances Android Privacy

Google has announced a significant crackdown on policy-violating advertisements, blocking over 8.3 billion ads globally in 2025 and suspending 24.9 million accounts. This move coincides with the unveiling of Android 17's privacy overhaul, introducing new features designed to give users greater control over their data, particularly concerning contact and location access.

Key Takeaways

• Google blocked over 8.3 billion policy-violating ads in 2025.

• Android 17 introduces a new Contact Picker for more granular contact sharing.

• A streamlined location button in Android 17 allows for one-time precise location access.

• Google is leveraging AI, including Gemini, to detect and block malicious ads.

• New Play Console features aim to prevent fraudulent app ownership transfers.

Enhanced Privacy Controls in Android 17

Android 17 brings substantial privacy enhancements, focusing on how apps access user contacts and location. Previously, apps often required broad permissions like READ_CONTACTS, granting access to an entire contact list. The new Contact Picker allows users to select specific contacts to share, aligning with Android's commitment to data transparency and minimizing permission footprints. Apps requiring full contact list access will need to justify this need through a Play Developer Declaration.

Similarly, Android 17 introduces a streamlined location button enabling apps to request one-time precise location access. Users will be alerted via a persistent indicator whenever a non-system app accesses their location. Developers targeting Android 17 and above are urged to implement these features, with persistent location access requiring a justification.

Combating Malvertising with AI

Google is intensifying its fight against malicious advertising by harnessing its artificial intelligence model, Gemini. This AI-powered approach allows Google to better understand intent and detect malicious content, even when it's designed to evade detection. In 2025, over 99% of policy-violating ads were identified and blocked before reaching users.

Last year, Google removed or blocked 602 million ads and 4 million accounts associated with scams. Additionally, 4.8 billion ads were restricted, and 480 million web pages were actioned for policy violations, including sexually explicit content, weapons promotion, online gambling, and malware distribution. Google's AI capabilities are also being applied to block deceptive ads created at scale by bad actors using generative AI.

Securing App Ownership Transfers

To further protect businesses against fraud, Google is implementing a native account transfer feature within the Play Console. This feature provides a secure method for businesses to transfer app ownership. Unofficial transfers, such as sharing login credentials or buying/selling accounts on third-party marketplaces, are now prohibited, starting May 27, 2026. Pre-review checks in the Play Console will begin on October 27 to identify potential policy issues related to contacts or location permissions.

Sources

• Google Blocks 8.3B Policy-Violating Ads in 2025, Launches Android 17 Privacy Overhaul, The Hacker News.