Google Play Integrity API Updated to Make You to Close Potentially Risky Apps [Android New Byte] 

The Google Play Integrity API was recently updated to let apps make you close other apps in order for you to use them.
~~~~~
Hi! Don't forget to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and hit the "Thanks" button on this video, if you can, and join our channel community here - / @explainingandroid
Mentioned Links
~~~~
App Access Risk Details - www.androidaut...
Video Description
~~~~~~
Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to another edition of the Android News Byte.
#android #androidnews #googleplay
#androidroot
Today, I want to highlight a new update to the Google Play Integrity API which added a new feature they're calling App Access Risk.
For those who may not be aware, the Google Play Integrity API is a security system developed by Google that replaces the SafetyNet Attestation API.
It's goal is to monitor interactions and server requests on your device to make sure an application is being used on a genuine Android device. Meaning, a device that has not been tampered with using filesystem modifications like Magisk, or sometimes, just with an unlocked bootloader.
The community has recently noticed a lot of back and forth between Google and developers who have been trying to create workarounds.
But with the launch of the Pixel 9 series, there seem to have been a lot more restrictions put in place.
So, this new App Access Risk feature has now been added to the Google Play Integrity API and with it they will allow 3rd-party developers to check your device to see if there are any potentially risky apps that are currently running.
You can see from this example in the photo here.
The user is trying to run an application called Hydra, but they are being warned that access to the Hydra application is being blocked until the user closes the application XRecorder.
So right off the bat, you can see how beneficial this can be to developers who want to protect the data from their users.
A banking application could leverage this new feature to make sure there aren't any screen recording apps installed that can record and basically steal banking account details from unsuspecting users.
ripe for abuse
However, the community is worried that this has the potential to be ripe for abuse.
As of right now, this new feature will warn apps that leverage it if there are any other apps with the capability to record the screen or control the device with the use of Accessibility permissions.
But as we all know, there are many apps that use these permissions which are perfectly legit.
Tasker and other automation apps like MacroDroid as prime examples here.
I am aware of why MacroDroid is installed on my device and am certain that it is not being used for any malicious reasons.
Yet I could be unable to use certain applications that embed this new Google Play Integrity API feature because I use it for automating screen brightness controls, and automatically switching between WiFi and Cell Data when my local WiFi is no longer working.
Google promises to not share any detected app names or data with the developers who are leveraging the new App Access Risk feature within the Google Play Integrity API. So they may not even be aware of potential false positives when they appear.
There is mention that exceptions to this new feature are genuine accessibility apps which are approved by Google. So any accessibility app installed outside of the Google Play Store will be caught up in this.
conclusion
Many within the community believe this new feature can be abused by 3rd-party app developers who have no real reason to implement it. With no legit way to disable this check by the user, it will force user to look for an alternative.
Sadly, this seems to be yet another restriction put in place by Google to lock down the Android ecosystem even more.
It's easy to see this was developed with good intentions, but it could end up being abused. . .or worse, evolved to include more then just apps that can record the screen and control the device.
At what point is the hardware we paid for no longer ours when we're forced to deal with restrictions like this.
Let me know what you think about this down in the comments section below
And please do not forget to like this video while also subscribing to the channel for more Android news content like this.
Summary
~~~~~~
1. Intro [00:00]
2.
As an Amazon associate, I may earn a commission on sales from the links below.
The Gear I Use
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5W "Slow" Charger - amzn.to/2OaUMV8
Fast Charger - amzn.to/3rtBsC6
MicroUSB Cable - amzn.to/38dkpeM
USB-C Cable - amzn.to/2OqlTvi
TPU Cases - amzn.to/38g9b9w
USB-C to 3.5mm Dongle - amzn.to/3rVt7c3
USB-C to 3.5mm DAC - amzn.to/3CyksSJ
NVIDIA Shield TV - bit.ly/3KA17RV
Telescopic Controller - amzn.to/3uDrvY9