After introducing a “Government” badge last year, the Google Play Store is adding one called “Verified” for consumer-facing VPN apps.
Google Play already highlights VPNs that have an “Independent security review” in the Data safety section, while there’s also a banner in search results.
This new “Verified” badge with a shield and checkmark appears next to the app rating above the Install button. The badge will also appear in search results underneath a “VPN security badging” banner, as well as inline.
It is “designed to highlight apps that prioritize user privacy and safety, help users make more informed choices about the VPN apps they use, and build confidence in the apps they ultimately download.”
The VPN badge helps your app stand out in a crowded marketplace.
To be “considered” for this badge, Google Play wants VPN Android apps to:
- Complete a Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) Level 2 validation.
- Have an Organization developer account type.
- Meet target API level requirements for Google Play apps
- Have at least 10,000 installs and 250 reviews
- Be published on Google Play for at least 90 days.
- Submit a Data Safety section declaration, opting into:
- Independent security review, under ‘Additional badges’
- Encryption in transit
Google says this “list is not exhaustive and doesn’t fully represent all the criteria used to display the badge” and that “other factors contribute to the evaluation,” though “fulfilling these requirements significantly increases your chances.”
Initial VPN apps that have the Verified badge include Nord, hide.me, and Aloha Browser.
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