Google Test Will Block Sideloading Some Android Apps in India

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Key Takeaways

  • Google is introducing enhanced fraud protection in India to help keep users safe when they sideload apps.
  • It will automatically block the installation of apps that request sensitive permissions often used in financial scams.
  • Google will start rolling out this feature to Android devices in India next month.

During the Google for India event, Google announced it’s piloting an enhanced fraud protection feature in India to combat financial fraud through sideloaded applications.

This feature is part of Google Play Protect and will automatically block the installation of apps that request sensitive permissions frequently abused in financial scams. These permissions include access to SMS, notifications, and accessibility features. Once scammers get access to these permissions, they can easily steal one-time passwords and other important information from the user’s smartphone, which can be used to commit fraud.

When a user attempts to sideload an app that requests any of these permissions, Play Protect will automatically block the installation with an explanation to the user. With this feature in place, users in India won’t be able to sideload any app they want—one reason some users prefer Android—but it could help reduce the growing number of financial scams in India. For context, in just the starting first four months of 2024, Indian users reportedly lost over ₹1,750 crores (more than $212 million) to financial fraud.

Enhanced proactive protection against apps used in fraud scams | Source: Google

This enhanced fraud protection feature has already been implemented in countries like Singapore, Brazil, and Thailand. According to Google, it blocked around 900,000 high-risk app installations in just six months in Singapore.

App developers will be the most affected by this feature, as their apps will be blocked from installation if they request sensitive permissions. Google advises developers to review its developer guidance for Play Protect warnings to ensure their apps don’t ask for any permissions that would trigger a block under this enhanced fraud protection.

Google will begin rolling out this feature to Android devices with Google Play services in India next month.