Currently, developers who create “sideloaded” Android apps are exempt from Google’s verification requirements.

Android developer verification is largely targeting commercial developers, with Google saying that it’s “committed to keeping Android an open platform” for student and hobbyist developers. Google is creating a separate Android developer console to facilitate this, which will place restrictions on the number of apps and installs.

Google is introducing a new defense for Android called 'Developer Verification' to block malware installations from sideloaded apps sourced from outside the official Google Play app store.