Is it time for Google to be stricter with the play store?

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Yabanize

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#157134 20-Nov-2014 20:58

Recently we have been hearing reports about flashlight apps that have more permissions than a flashlight app should have and that they may be acting malicious

Also this week we have heard about a new Malware called 'NotCompatible', As android is a sandboxed system it relys on tricking the user that it is a legitimate system update, Trying to get you to install an APK file.

I don't think there's much Google can do about the second one, as its the user installing an APK, not from the play store

But I think perhaps Google should get stricter with what apps are allowed in their store, Maybe Apple's way was the right way to do it. Make sure apps aren't misusing our data and can justify the use for their permissions, and lets be honest alot of android apps are CRAP.

blakamin

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#1180362 20-Nov-2014 21:02

Nope... Just don't be an idiot when it comes to installing apps.

Apple had an app called "I am rich"...
Only idiots installed that. But it still got through their system.

Just look at reviews and decide for yourself.
I don't want some computer/bored worker deciding what I can and can't install.

saeran

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#1180363 20-Nov-2014 21:03

The whole Android permissions situation is a real mess. It's very annoying but I doubt it's something we'll see fixed anytime soon.

Yabanize

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#1180368 20-Nov-2014 21:08

blakamin: Nope... Just don't be an idiot when it comes to installing apps.

Apple had an app called "I am rich"...
Only idiots installed that. But it still got through their system.

Just look at reviews and decide for yourself.
I don't want some computer/bored worker deciding what I can and can't install.

Im not :) But other people arent quite as smart as us

blakamin

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#1180402 20-Nov-2014 21:39

Then that's their own fault... my 5 & 11 year old daughters don't install crap :)

Batman

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#1180435 20-Nov-2014 23:11

99.9% of it are crap.

i can't even be bothered browsing the store as the chances of getting anything that does what it says is about the same as winning lotto.

NZSpides

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#1180469 20-Nov-2014 23:26

That's the one reason I say to people that aren't even remotely internet or technology savvy to stay away from Android for now. It's just not ready for main stream general people.

I'm partially biased to Apple IOS platform, but only because I have invested in the ecosystem and am effectively stuck there.

I do like some of the offerings from the various Android platforms, but the simple fact remains, if you're not careful, you can open your phone/tablet for malicious attack very easily.
Anyone that is reading this obviously isn't at risk, but techno ignorant people haven't the faintest idea how easily they can be fooled into giving full access to their data simply by installing a free app on their device.

Apple do make mistakes with their app store, but these get fixed fairly quick, same with Windows.
Actually I have to give Microsoft props for their Windows phone OS, it's looking pretty sharp now and would be one I would suggest to my 70 year old Mum.

So in a round about way, yup I do think Google should do something with their store, its a little bit dangerous wading around there... Maybe not so locked down like the IOS platform, but more than it is.