Google, Apple Delete Millions of Apps: Are Fraudulent Apps Still on Our Phones?
August 28, 2025
In a sweeping crackdown on unsafe software, Google and Apple have removed millions of fraudulent apps from their platforms over the past two years, raising fresh concerns about the safety of apps on users’ devices.
A new study from Surfshark, a global cybersecurity company, revealed that in just one year, Google deleted more than 300,000 apps due to policy violations involving fraud, scams, and security breaches. Apple, on its part, removed nearly 40,000 apps linked to similar fraudulent activity.
While the mass removals signal stronger monitoring, cybersecurity experts warn that many of these apps had already reached millions of users before being taken down.
“It’s a staggering digital purge that goes unnoticed by the public. While it may create the illusion that every app we download is safe, the reality is a bit more complex,” said Sarunas Sereika, cybersecurity expert at Surfshark.
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Fraudulent Apps: A Growing Digital Threat
A software Engineer, Obah Sylva said that, the figures highlight a rising trend in app removals. In 2024 alone, Google Play removed almost four million apps—an average of 11,000 per day. The majority of these removals, around 55 percent, were due to privacy and data protection violations. Apple, by comparison, removed just over 80,000 apps that year, averaging 200 removals daily.
In early 2025, Apple went further by deleting 137,000 apps from its EU App Store to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA). Fraudulent behavior, outdated software, and privacy breaches remain the primary causes for app removals across both platforms.
Despite these actions, Sereika noted that the presence of an app in official stores often gives users a false sense of security. “Dangerous apps often slip through standard checks, hiding in plain sight, and in some cases, they return under new disguises, re-uploaded by attackers who exploit weaknesses of these well-known app stores,” he explained.
Why Users Should Still Be Cautious Of Fraudulent Apps
Cybercriminals have become more sophisticated, leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced tools to bypass traditional detection methods. Malicious apps increasingly mimic legitimate ones, making it harder for users to identify threats.
Even though Apple rejected 25 percent of app submissions and Google Play maintained a 10 percent rejection rate, Surfshark’s study suggests that harmful apps still find their way onto devices.
“Google and Apple are actively monitoring and removing unsecured apps from their stores, but the responsibility also falls on users to practice safe downloading habits,” Sereika warned. He advised users to check app permissions, read reviews carefully, stick to trusted developers, and keep their devices updated with the latest security patches.
The Bigger Picture
The findings are based on transparency reports from Google Play and Apple’s App Store, with supplemental data dating back to 2022. Beyond app removals, the study also examined developer account terminations and app rejection rates before release.
As the global app market continues to expand, the balance between accessibility and security is becoming more delicate. Experts say vigilance is no longer optional but a necessity for digital safety.