Google Play has teamed up with HackerOne, an independent bug bounty platform, to create the Google Play Security Rewards System, with $1,000 up for grabs for flaws found in popular Android apps.
The program hopes to improve security research as well as app security which will benefit Android users, developers, and Google Play as a whole.
Apps such as Duolingo, Snapchat, Tinder, Dropbox, and Headspace are currently in the Google Play Security Reward program, with the hopes of more apps joining later on.
The system works by encouraging hackers to identify problems and vulnerabilities within different apps. However, the bugs have to follow certain criteria to qualify for the reward.
As of right now, the program is limited to remote-code-execution vulnerabilities and corresponding proof of concepts which run on devices with Android 4.4 or higher. This would include vulnerabilities that allow the downloading and execution of malicious code, the manipulation of a user interface to commit a transaction, and the opening of a webview leading to phishing attacks.
After a bug has been identified, the hacker works directly with the developer to fix the problem by reporting the issue to the firm through provided links. Once it is fixed, the hacker reports it to the Google Play Security Reward System, which will then consider it for the $1,000 reward, provided it followed the criteria.
"As the Android ecosystem evolves, we continue to invest in leading-edge ideas to strengthen security," said Vineet Buch, the director of product management at Google Play.
"Our goal is continue to make Android a safe computing platform by encouraging our app developers and hackers to work together to resolve unknown vulnerabilities, we are one step closer to that goal."
