Google is launching a new "Government" badge within the Play Store to aid users in easily identifying official Android apps associated with government entities. The badge, adorned with a building icon, will be prominently displayed in the main Apps feed, search results, and app listings alongside the application's rating. Upon tapping the badge, users will receive a brief explanation: "Official government — Play verified this app is affiliated with a government entity."

Initially, this label will be applied to official state and federal government apps in various countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Notable US government apps such as those from NASA, FEMA, and IRS2Go, as well as public works, voting, identification, and parking tools, will receive the badge.

This feature has undergone testing for several months, with over 3,000 government apps initially receiving the badge. Google has collaborated closely with governments and their developer partners to ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of the labeled apps. To verify the authenticity of government-affiliated apps, official parties and agencies are encouraged to utilize government emails when creating developer accounts. Furthermore, more sensitive apps dealing with voting or ID validation require additional verification before approval. Developers can find additional guidance on Google's website.

This new badge is part of Google's ongoing commitment to bolster trust and transparency within the Play Store ecosystem. By clearly labeling government apps, users can download with confidence, knowing they are accessing official, authorized applications from trusted sources.

Source: adapted from an article by Maya Robertson, Author for Mobile Marketing Reads.