Google Play will prevent apps from spying on all apps on mobile

Until now, apps could tell which other apps were installed on the same phone, but that will change soon: Google Play will prevent the phone software from accessing the list of installations. It will apply from May 5 and there will be exceptions for certain types of applications.

Every time we install an app, it accesses certain parts of the phone. To find out more, generally necessary for the operation of the application, the software asks the user for the permissions that the user grants it manually and automatically during installation

. Until now, all Android apps could find out what other software they were sharing the device with, but Google Play has decided to stop this action with a permission restriction that will take effect very soon.

The “QUERYALLPACKAGES will be limited from May 5th

Knowing which apps the user has installed is not only important for some apps that seek to provide security and maintenance service, but also is of tremendous value to all businesses exchanging usage data. In fact, the purpose of many applications is to require the list of installed applications to use the information for their own benefit; an attack on privacy that Google intends to nip in the bud.

As of May 5, all apps that point to API level 30, which came into effect with Android 11, will no longer be able to use “QUERYALLPACKAGES ‘, an authorization that allows you to get the list of all the applications on your Android device. This limitation will prevent developers from getting information that their application does not need, but always passively: it will be the developer who must comply with the reasonable use policy

Applications that can use the “QUERYALLThe PACKAGES are those dedicated to Device search, virus and malware scanning, file managers and web browsers. Also applications that need to create a security framework; such as banking and digital wallets.

Google relies on the developers’ responsibility because it will not automatically block the use of the permission. In the event that it detects incorrect activity, it will penalize the developer

The limitation to obtain the list of installed applications will start on May 5, 2021. It will be a voluntary restriction since Google Play will not apply automatic blocks to applications that attempt to activate the “QUERYALLPACKAGES ‘. Of course: in case Google detects incorrect use the company can suspend the application and even the developer’s account.

Via | 9to5Google