Google and the Ministry of Justice have established an agreement aimed at increasing the security of advertising related to financial products and services on the internet. This initiative seeks to reduce occurrences of digital fraud and strengthen consumer protection.
This pact, signed on Thursday, the 16th, requires both companies and individuals wishing to advertise financial services or products on Google to undergo a rigorous verification process. Only accounts with a verification badge will be eligible to run this type of advertising.
Identity confirmation can be conducted directly by the platform itself or by third-party entities, provided these use secure methods to attest to the legal existence of the natural or legal person responsible for the account. This proposal integrates a voluntary collaboration focused on promoting greater transparency and security.
Among the central guidelines of this agreement are the mandatory checking of advertisers of financial services, the imposition of the verification badge for ad dissemination, the permission for validation to be carried out by Google or third parties, and the implementation of controls designed to limit the airing of paid financial advertisements. Those who do not complete this procedure will be prevented from running campaigns in this segment on the platform.
The agreement occurs parallel to the validity of a decree that modernizes the regulation of the Internet Civil Framework. This standard establishes the presumption of liability for application providers in cases of fraudulent advertisements. Furthermore, it institutes practical mechanisms to apply the determination of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), issued in June 2025 and formalized in November of the same year. Covered situations include failures in the duty of care in serious crimes and the maintenance of illegal content even after being duly notified.
The decree expands the obligations of digital platforms and details procedures to strengthen user safeguards. Platforms are now responsible for removing illegal content as soon as they are notified, dispensing with the need for prior judicial order. They must also inform users of the actions taken and offer the possibility of appeal. Additionally, advertising linked to scams, fraud, or illegal goods is prohibited, and publication data must be archived to support investigations, legal proceedings, and actions brought by harmed consumers.
The legal text preserves expressions such as criticism, satire, parody, reports, religious expressions, and freedom of conviction. The requirement for verification for those advertising financial products constitutes one of the first actions resulting from the new rules, seeking to mitigate the space for fraud without compromising the guarantees of free expression provided for in current legislation.
Google will implement a significant change in Android app distribution, allowing third-party stores access to the Play Store catalog in the United States starting July 22. This decision introduces a new dynamic in how applications can be distributed on the operating system.
The company launched the Play Catalog Access Program, which enables external stores to offer applications and games already present in the Play Store. The goal of this initiative is to foster new distribution models without implying the withdrawal of Google's participation in the process. It is important to note that even with this novelty, download processes will be finalized through Google Play, and the company's service fees will remain valid for applications installed by these platforms.
This change is directly related to the legal dispute between Google and Epic Games. In November 2025, the two companies reached an agreement following a ruling by Judge James Donato, which established modifications to the functioning of app distribution on Android. Previously, there was a proposal for the 'Registered App Stores' program, which would facilitate installation but would still depend on the sideloading method, where users install apps outside the official store.
Platforms wishing to participate in this new program can be listed within the Google Play itself. To join the system, they must meet certain rigorous conditions. Among them is the need for an initial payment of US$ 5,000 (equivalent to approximately R$ 27,000) for security review, plus an annual fee of US$ 5,000 (about R$ 27,000) to maintain catalog access. Other requirements include providing customer service in the United States and adhering to the security and operational standards stipulated by Google.
Dan Jackson, a Google spokesperson, told The Verge that this global evolution of the business model aims to provide greater variety of app stores, more accessible prices, and more opportunities for both developers and users.
The opening to external stores is part of a larger set of adjustments negotiated between Google and Epic Games. As a result, the commission charged by the company on app purchases has been reduced from 30% to 10%. Additionally, developers have gained the ability to implement their own payment systems or redirect users to their websites during transactions made within games and applications. For now, this novelty is geographically limited to the United States, and partner platforms cannot use the Play Store catalog to distribute apps in other countries, although the measure expands distribution choices on Android under specific Google ecosystem rules.
