Google to exempt developers in sanctioned countries from new Android verification

Google plans to launch an Android developer verification process that requires developers to submit identification and a modest payment to keep publishing apps, even outside the Play Store. The system will prevent unverified apps from being installed on devices that run Google services, which includes most Android phones worldwide. An internal FAQ clarifies that devices in countries subject to U.S. sanctions—namely Iran, Cuba, North Korea and occupied areas of Ukraine—will be exempt from the verification requirement.

Consequently, developers residing in those regions can continue to distribute apps without undergoing the new checks, though end users there will not benefit from the program's enhanced security features. The policy reflects the complexity of complying with sanctions while maintaining Android's open ecosystem. Critics note that the exemption leaves a security gap for users in the affected nations.