Google has announced several key policy changes for Android application developers that will increase the security of users, Google Play, and the apps offered by the service.

Google says that’s because “malware often targets older API levels to bypass security and privacy protections introduced in newer Android versions.” ...

This just applies to new apps. However, from November, existing apps on Android will also need to target an API level within two years of the latest OS release, a level of 31 or higher.

Google is testing a new interface to list apps that activate their own security features when Android 16's Advanced ...

The company notes that the feature will be enabled by default for apps targeting Android 11 (API level 30), and can be enabled manually for those targeting API levels 23 to 29.

In an attempt to reduce fragmentation of its Android OS, Google is requiring developers of new and updated apps to comply with its most recent APIs.