This is not malware. It's an official part of Google Play Services.
The point is that it is said to tamper with your installations. If it does, it is malware.
Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection
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Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection
#62I just launched an app in the Google Play Store. I did find it a bit weird that I had to provide my physical home address to get my app listed. Not sure what I would do if someone turned up to complain. Make them a cup of tea?
well they can swat you, order pizza, send you packages (who knows with what inside), spread false info about you if you've given out more info etc...
all it takes is one guy who gets too mad for some reason
and it's gonna be a lot more costly for you to do anything about it vs. that guy who gets to be completely anonymous about it
Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection
#63Android users need to switch to Graphene. Someone needs to create a Linux based mobile OS foundation - Google's domination is contrary to many large companies interests, and if Meta and many other such companies were approached, they may well donate large sums of money in their own strategic interests.
The only reason I have not switched Graphene is because for reasons I do not understand, Graphene OS is very closely tied with Google hardware. I bought a /e/os Fairphone instead.
It's because only Pixel devices have proper hardware security to build anything secure on top.
Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection
#64I understand not being happy about what Google is doing, but it seems like F-droid can’t be trusted not to heavily spin things.
If the companies would keep their own word and never overreach maybe nobody would overreact. How many times did we hear in the past "It's just for..."
Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection
#65I just launched an app in the Google Play Store. I did find it a bit weird that I had to provide my physical home address to get my app listed. Not sure what I would do if someone turned up to complain. Make them a cup of tea?
This is so that you can be sued or prosecuted if the app is malicious.
Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection
#66This would be the line for me. If at some point I'm unable to build an .apk and install it on my phone without Google letting me, I'm moving to Huawei.
Does Huawei not use android or Google play services?
not like that no, some US carriers don't allow them though like AT&T blocks you to google or apple phones. for them only pixel supports a way out with graphene.
Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection
#67Earlier quoted context omitted.
Isn’t Google going to do what Apple has been doing since forever? Or is Google somehow doing something worse?
Apple's policies were established when you purchased the phone. Apps come through registered developers and their vetting. Google has changed the game on something you already own. I'm sure their lawyers have done their homework, but in some jurisdictions this is certainly actionable.
They already lost a lawsuit and were fined a hundred billion dollars in the EU for locking down Android. Maybe they think since they already lost once, they can't lose again.
Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection
#68This is not malware. It's an official part of Google Play Services.
Which is malware.
Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection
#69I understand the frustration (I'm an avid fdroid user across many many devices). But this article comes off as childish with the virus/trojan/"malware vendor". With such an article, many (including perhaps google) get the ammo to disregard what fdroid says, by branding them as childish/not to be taken seriously. for eg: no reputable news org is going to post this. PS: https://keepandroidopen.org/ is better done.
I thought the same thing but he apparently has a point. The stated purpose covers only a tiny sliver of the capabilities. The agreement points to the TOS where it (last time I looked) says service may be terminated at any time without stating a reason. Nothing guarantees it won't be used for things other than security. And finally he has a point where it also doesn't really do much for security. If we ask their fine…
I'd usually say it'd be far fetched
but I can totally see Google banning developers and removing their apps for political reasons, where some lobbying group bombs them with emails
because with this they're explicitly saying they're now choosing who gets to be in or out, there's no way for them to say we can't do anything about it
I do think this would improve security, but I also think it's sort of a Trojan horse to lock down the ecosystem
Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection
#70This is not malware. It's an official part of Google Play Services.
It all depends on how you define malware. If malware is software doing something that is contrary to the user's interests, then for many users it is indeed malware.
Too much hedging in this comment.
Malware is something that maliciously breaks your computer.
This maliciously breaks my computer so it's malware. There's no difference between this and the ILOVEYOU virus, except the delivery mechanism.