Google, as the operator of the Play Store, has a huge responsibility on its shoulders. The company must do everything it can to protect users from malicious apps and attempted scams. In its annual report, Google does the math, and it’s impressive.
Preventing Play Protect from being disabled
Thanks to the various systems set up upstream of the Play Store, 2.36 million non-compliant apps were blocked before they were put online in the store last year. 158,000 developer accounts were banned. And Google blocked 1.3 million apps from accessing sensitive data unnecessarily.
The security of the Play Store is one thing, but Google also has to keep a close eye on what happens outside its closed garden. Unlike iOS, Android is a relatively open operating system that allows the installation of alternative stores and sideloading. Android smartphones integrate Play Protect, a security system that analyzes in real time the apps (200 billion every day!) present on the devices.
This analysis allows Play Protect to detect and above all, block threats. This now allows it to automatically deactivate the permissions of applications if they are deemed dangerous. Deprived of these authorizations, apps cannot access photos, contacts, the camera and other components and data of the smartphone. It is up to the user to reactivate these permissions.
In the same vein, on Android the Chrome browser will regularly remind the user to reactivate Play Protect, if the tool has been deactivated (this is not a good idea). Google will also prevent users from disabling Play Protect while on a phone or video call — scammers sometimes call their victims to trick them into disabling the feature.
Source: Google
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