The Google Play Store introduces a Verified badge for trusted VPN apps
VPNs are intended to keep your data safe and protect your privacy, but how do you know which VPNs actually do what they claim? Google has taken steps to keep users informed and help them find secure VPNs with the introduction of a new Verified badge.
The badge (a shield with a checkmark and the word âVerifiedâ underneath) is featured prominently in the search results and on an appâs details page. It indicates that the given VPN app complies with the Play Safety and Security Guidelines and has acquired a Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) Level 2 validation.
This badge will help VPN providers stand out in a fairly crowded marketplace, says Google, and will promote verified VPN apps. The benefit for consumers is that it helps them weed out bad apps.
You can see more information about the app in the Data safety panel, which details how data is handled, what personal information is collected, whether data and information are shared with third parties, whether independent audits have been conducted and so on.
The Play Store has been adding such badges for a while now - inevitable for a marketplace with so many apps. For example, last year, Google introduced a badge specifically for government-made apps, to help users identify the legitimate apps published by their local agencies and government branches.