Have you ever downloaded an app that claims to be from your city or government agency, but you're not sure if it's genuine? Apps masquerading as official apps can put your security at risk. It is a legitimate concern to wonder if it is and can be used. Thankfully, Google is making it a lot easier with its new “Government” badge, now live on the Play Store. This little badge, which looks like a small office building, is currently appearing in various places on the Google Play Store. : List of apps, search results, and even the main feed. This is a quick and clear signal that the app you're looking at is actually an official government app. This simple change will go a long way in building trust and giving you peace of mind when accessing government services over the phone.
Image credit: 9to5Google
It's important to point out that this isn't a US-only feature, as Google plans to roll it out globally. Australia, Brazil, Canada, all the way to South Korea, and many other countries are getting the government badge treatment as well. This can be very convenient if it makes things like checking your taxes, renewing your driver's license, renewing your vehicle registration, and paying traffic tickets easier. You don't want to do that with an app you're not sure can be trusted.
