There is no denying that when it comes to apps, Android has become the go-to for almost all app developers. There are so many excellent apps that are available on the OS, but at the same time, there are so many apps that pose a severe threat to the overall device and user security. Over the past year or so, we have started seeing apps that are really good at committing financial fraud and taking a lot of money away from users. Google appears to be working on a new program that will prevent these frauds from happening in the first place.
Google wants to be sure that you are protected against financial frauds that have become very common on Android
Using Google Play Protect, the search engine giant is currently working on a new program that will offer better fraud protection on Android devices that are running Google Play Services. This program is currently launching in Singapore, and it will actually start rolling out to other regions once it ends up being successful. Considering how financial fraud apps have become a lot more common, this feature is something that should have been introduced a long time ago.
Once this program launches, Google Play Protect will have the ability to analyze as well as block the installation of apps that are actually using sensitive permissions that are commonly found in financial fraud apps. On Android devices, these four permissions will be looked for.
- RECEIVE_SMS
- READ_SMS
- BIND_Notifications
- Accessibility
Although it might not make sense as to why this feature should come to Android in the first place, fraudsters actually go ahead and abuse these permissions for OTPs. These are obtained by reading the SMS that are received on these devices or by spying on-screen content and reading through notifications that are received.
The way this feature is going to work in Singapore for Android users is that whenever they try to sideload an app and it declares the use of any of these four permissions, the Play Protect will block the installation and will even offer an explanation as to what is happening. You can check out how it works below.
Google has also talked about how the company has this new fraud protection, which has been tested by the Singapore government and the company will also start to monitor the progress of this project and will make changes if there are some changes that need to be added. Google has also recommended that Android app developers who are impacted by this change appeal their apps' Google Play Protect classification status.
News Source: Google Blog
About the author: I have been tinkering with Android devices ever since the early days of the HTC Desire. Over time, I have grown a fondness for the ecosystem and now I cannot live without it. Although some might believe that I have sold my soul to Android, but I believe it is not the case. You can find me writing tutorials and posting guides on a number of different smartphones. When I am not writing here, I am wasting myself away in books, journals, or on Steam.
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