The figures were released by Google to mark Safer Internet Day on February 10. According to the report, the Google Play Protect fraud protection feature has identified and stopped waves of harmful app installations targeting users in Vietnam.

Specifically, the 9.89 million blocked downloads helped safeguard sensitive data across millions of devices over the past year.

In addition to its internal safeguards, Google has also partnered with Vietnam’s Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention (under the Ministry of Public Security) to fight online fraud.

Meanwhile, more than 122 verified government apps are now available on Google Play, helping citizens distinguish legitimate public services from fake apps designed to steal personal data.

Digital safety tools for families and youth

Alongside its technical measures, Google also introduced a suite of new digital tools to help families create safer online environments.

Among the most notable is a new feature on YouTube that allows parents to set time limits or completely disable access to YouTube Shorts - a popular short-form video format that can be a source of distraction. The viewing time can now be reduced to zero for child accounts.

Other automatic safety measures are also being rolled out for users under 18. These include:

SafeSearch enabled by default to filter out explicit content.

Private upload settings on YouTube accounts.

Built-in prompts like “remind me to take a break” and “remind me when it’s bedtime.”

Disabling autoplay for video content.

Blocking targeted ads and limiting sensitive advertising categories for minors.

The Family Link app, Google’s free tool for parental controls, has also been updated with a new “School Time” feature. Parents can now remotely lock entertainment apps during study hours, approve or deny app downloads, and filter web content in Chrome.

Through the YouTube Family Center, Google now offers age-appropriate experiences across three tiers:

YouTube Kids: For ages 0–12, with curated, family-friendly content and no public comments or direct messaging.

Supervised accounts: With adjustable settings for preteens.

Teen accounts: For ages 13–17, with safeguards tailored to adolescent users.

“Online safety is a shared responsibility between tech companies, authorities, and families,” said Marc Woo, Country Director of Google Vietnam. “We hope these tools will become trusted companions for Vietnamese parents as they guide their children’s digital journey in a safe and positive way.”

Du Lam