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Wasnt there an issue where certain devs’ accounts were compromised and malware was being distributed?
EDIT: that wasnt why. Kde connect was removed until its sms functionality was removed due to new security policies: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/mobile/kde-connect-kicked-from-google-play-returns-less-the-app-it-was/
So basically, if there’s any app where the developer releases a Play Store version, but also has a separate non-Play Store version with added functionality that goes against the Play Store’s ToS, Play Protect is going to remove it from your device?
Not flag it, or remove permissions, or freeze it, just straight remove it.
So for example, the Private Internet Access VPN app has a play store version without the ad and tracker blocking functionality, because that goes against the Play Store TOS. But you can get the full version with the ad blockers as an APK from the official website.
Is Play Protect gonna nix that, too?
I’m sure Google will kill off Play Protect soon anyway.
Your name gives me PTSD of the times I’ve lost Hades speedruns to bad sack RNG.
You told me last month
Well lets hope I don’t forget again
I don’t believe that play protect actually scans or does anything to an apk that isn’t installed through Google play, but you do have the option to turn it off through the Google play store settings.
*Seems that it potentially may remove apks from other store installs. If that’s the case, shut the stupid thing off if it causes you problems.
without the ad and tracker blocking functionality, because that goes against the Play Store TOS
Yet there are straight up ad blockers on the Play store.
So for example, the Private Internet Access VPN app has a play store version without the ad and tracker blocking functionality, because that goes against the Play Store TOS. But you can get the full version with the ad blockers as an APK from the official website.
What?
I have the play store version of Mullvad and it has ad & tracking blocker functionality.
Does this affect fdroid?
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Can’t you still disable it? I’m still sitting on 11, LineageOS, enjoying my file explorer, so I have no idea what they’ve changed recently with 12 or 13, but I have Play Protect disabled. Never a peep from it.
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I’m seeing these quite often with people taking the name of the app as “proof” it’s fine. Even if you got it from a reputable source, you should verify the checksum at the very least. Because if you don’t, thinking this stupid feature is stupid, you may just have malware on your system.
Except Samsung Wallet was pre-installed on my phone by Samsung themselves. I’ve never installed Samsung Wallet manually, Samsung did it for me.
Again, not taking a side because it’s Google, etc. etc., but just saying from a technical POV. I’d look into it and if I found a false positive, I’d probably just disable it. But the point I’m making is to have that look. Because if you jump to conclusions, then why do you even have it enabled?? Hoping it’s going to return a prompt one day:
Harmful app uninstalled
SuperVirus2000 was uninstalled for your security
When I worked for a phone manufacturer i saw a carrier branded variant get literal adware preinstalled that would display full screen popup ads. There’s enough players working with razer thin margins that the mobile space is full of crap that shouldn’t be
Google thinks anything that isn’t Google is harmful(to their bottom line).
to their bottom line
They feel that way about a lot of their own services too
It’s almost as if they’re a business created to make money
That’s fucked up.
As an F-Droid enthusiast, I think Google Play is malware.
If everything around you is harmful maybe you are the harmful one google
Did the same to me but with Samsung Wallet lmao
Same here!
I still have it installed on my S23 Ultra…
That’s why everyone (who isn’t completely tech-illiterate) should disable this crap or degoogle even further.
uBlock Origin is harmful to our profitability and was uninstalled.
I would stop using the internet
That’s why I decided to turn Play Protect off. Kinda useless for me and only does bullshit like that.
Just install it via Fdroid. I would not even be surprised if they’d still remove it.
I use CalyxOS btw, google can’t touch me.I want to install SharkBait on my phone. It is Gentoo-based android.
Meanwhile, I can’t view a single Google service without ads for Temu being pushed hard all over my shit despite it literally being spyware
Installed my version with f-droid.
No problems for me.
Edit I’ve made it a rule-always check for open source or non-Google source, installation away from play store is vastly preferred.
