- Google paid 40% more in 2025 than in 2024 to security researchers
- New AI vulnerabilities are considered as threats emerge
- Major events accounted for around 20% of payouts
Google paid out $17.1 million in bug sums in 2025, the most it has ever paid out in a single year, marking a 40% increase over the $11.8 million it coughed up in 2024.
Despite such a sharp increase in cash value, the company only paid 13% more researchers (a total of 747 in 2025), suggesting that vulnerability spotting is becoming far more lucrative.
The company also boasted that it has paid out $81.6 million in VRP payouts since the scheme was launched in 2010.
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Google’s VRP is getting more lucrative
Some of the key product areas included Android and Google Devices ($2.9 million), Chrome ($3.7 million) and Google Cloud ($3.57 million).
Google also launched its dedicated AI VRP last year to focus on risks such as rapid injection, data exfiltration, and rogue behavior — paying out $350,000, bringing total AI-related payouts to $890,000. In recognition of the potential risks surrounding AI, the company also added new reward categories for AI-related vulnerabilities in Chrome.
The AI VRP was first launched in October 2025, with Google “recognizing that securing Generative AI products requires specialized research separate from traditional vulnerabilities.” A single AI bugSWAT incident increased by 70 valid reports, totaling $400,000 in payouts.
Other events held in Sunnyvale, Las Vegas and Mexico City generated nearly $3 million in payouts, accounting for about 20% of the total bounties paid out in 2025, making these events a must-go-to destination for security researchers.
“Our goal remains to stay ahead of new threats, adapt to new technologies, and continue to strengthen the security posture of Google products and services,” the company wrote in a blog post, thanking those who have helped secure its products so far.
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