Google ends its bug bounty program for Android apps, signaling improved app security but raising concerns about future vulnerability reporting.

Google has recently made the decision to end its Google Play Security Reward Program (GPSRP), a program that was designed to encourage security researchers to find and report vulnerabilities in Android apps. This program, which has been running since October 2017, will officially come to an end on August 31.

The Evolution and Significance of the GPSRP

The GPSRP initially focused on allowing a select group of developers to report bugs in a limited number of apps. However, it later expanded to include all apps on Google Play with over 100 million installs. The main goal of the program was to make the Play Store a safer place for Android apps. Google used data from the program to create automated scans that could check all apps on Google Play for similar vulnerabilities.

The Impact of the GPSRP on App Security

The automated scans developed from GPSRP data have helped over 300,000 developers fix problems in more than one million apps. This has led to fewer risky apps being available to Android users. Google, however, has decided to end the program because there has been a decrease in the number of useful vulnerability reports.

Google’s Explanation for the Program’s End

Google believes that the decrease in reported vulnerabilities is due to improvements in Android security and ongoing efforts to make its features stronger. The end of this program could have both good and bad effects. On the one hand, it shows that major apps have made significant progress in securing their platforms. On the other hand, it might make security experts less likely to responsibly report flaws they find.

The discontinuation of Google’s Play Security Reward Program marks a significant turning point in Android app security. While it underscores the progress made in bolstering the security landscape, it also raises concerns about potential future vulnerabilities going unreported. As the Android ecosystem continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the absence of this program will influence the overall security of apps on Google Play.

About the author

View All Posts

Sovan Mandal

Sovan, with a Journalism degree from the University of Calcutta and 10 years of experience, ensures high-quality tech content. His editorial precision has contributed to the publication's acclaimed standards and consistent media mentions for quality reporting. Sovan’s dedication and attention to detail have greatly contributed to the consistency and excellence of our content, reinforcing our commitment to delivering the best to our readers.