Name: Google puts limits on which apps can see what's installed on an Android device | Engadget
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Google puts limits on which apps can see what's installed on an Android device | Engadget

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Google has introduced a new rule that will prevent most apps from seeing all the other apps on your Android phone or tablet. As has noticed, the tech giant has updated its to limit the kinds of apps that can request the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission, which returns the full list of installed apps on a device that runs Android 11 or later.According to the updated policy, Play "regards the device inventory of installed apps queried from a user’s device as personal and sensitive information." As such, Google will now only grant QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission requests if the app's core user-facing functionality needs to be able to discover any and all installed apps. Examples include antivirus programs, file managers, browsers and applications for device search. Developers, the updated policy says, "must be able to sufficiently justify why a less intrusive method of app visibility will not sufficiently enable [their] app's policy compliant user facing core functionality."The new policy could make it harder for bad actors to spy on your device for nefarious purposes or for advertisers to serve you targeted ads. It remains to be seen whether it'll be just as effective as the policy change Google implemented in 2018, which was also meant to clamp down on Android apps that abuse permissions. That particular policy update placed a restriction on what can access call logs and SMS data. The tech giant said last year that it was so effective, it in the number of Play Store applications accessing those information.&nbsp;Turn on browser notifications to receive breaking news alerts from EngadgetYou can disable notifications at any time in your settings menu.Turn onGoogle's policy change will take effect on May 5th, 2021.&nbsp;All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publishing.

Google has introduced a new rule that will prevent most apps from seeing all the other apps on your Android phone or tablet. As has noticed, the tech giant has updated its to limit the kinds of apps that can request the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission, which returns the full list of installed apps on a device that runs Android 11 or later.According to the updated policy, Play "regards the device inventory of installed apps queried from a user’s device as personal and sensitive information." As such, Google will now only grant QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission requests if the app's core...

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Google puts limits on which apps can see what's installed on an Android device | Engadget

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