Security News > 2020 > January > Privacy activists beg Google to ban un-removable bloatware from Android

For much of Android's existence, Google has adopted a relatively hands-off approach that lets manufacturers ship units with pre-installed bloatware which, in many cases, cannot be easily removed.

"Android Partners - who use the Android trademark and branding - are manufacturing devices that contain pre-installed apps that cannot be deleted, which can leave users vulnerable to their data being collected, shared and exposed without their knowledge or consent," the letter states.

The concern surrounding bloatware hinges on the fact they exist without the standard Android security model, with pre-installed apps able to access the microphone, camera, and location by default.

Presently, apps downloaded from the standard Google Play store require the user to "Opt in" to access the more sensitive parts of the phone.

The open letter also cites an academic study published in May 2019 that found 91 per cent of all pre-installed apps aren't present on the Google Play Store - suggesting they may have harmful behaviours that would preclude them from being listed on the standard Android app store.

News URL

https://go.theregister.co.uk/feed/www.theregister.co.uk/2020/01/13/privacy_activist_beg_google_chief_sundar_pichai_to_ban_unremovable_bloatware/