App sideloading on Android devices could prove even more difficult soon as Google is reportedly adding another layer of security on the Play Store, which will come as a bump up to the Advanced Protection Program. The move is designed to further secure users' Google accounts.
A preview of the things to happen was seen in the latest Play Store update, tagged by Google as version 17.8.14, and in which Advanced Protection is tipped to implement soon, blocking of applications deployed outside of the Play Store.
According to 9to5Google, a bit of digging in the updated Play Store will reveal dialogs that pertain to app blocking. One example goes to indicate: "App blocked by Advanced Protection."
In another instance, a separate string stated: "For additional security, Advanced Protection won't allow apps from outside the Google Play Store."
These were clear indications that in the upcoming security protocols for the Play Store, the Advance Protection tool will have an enhanced capability of preventing the installation of apps not vetted within the Play Store realm, per the same report.
This will be especially enforced for APKs downloaded by users, although the string also hinted of an alternative to the measure, which many users could find quite restrictive. 9to5Google said there is an option for the Advance Protection first to scan an unauthorized app before it can be installed.
If a risk was detected by the scan, a warning would pop up so users can decide to go ahead with the app installation or cancel it.
It is still unsure when Google plans to roll out the news Play Store security, and it's possible too that the general implementation might be put on hold or shelved depending on how users will react to the security measure.
In a related note, WCCFTech said the plan seems well-meaning as it will result in positive security benefits. In fact, a more robust Advanced Protection version is already a reality, and it can indeed prevent app installation or the downloading of unverified apps via Chrome.
However, the practice is voluntary, and it looked like the planned update will make it mandatory, which could be interpreted as heavy-handed on the part of Google.
For business users, the higher level of security would not be an issue as it would mean less burden on their part, thanks to the Google initiative. But it would be different for personal users, and they are the majority of Google patrons.
"There are a lot of incredibly useful apps hosted on third-party platforms... that might get affected by this policy," the report said, adding "security is hardly a reason to lock users out of entire app ecosystems outside of the Play Store."
