Google mocks Epic’s proposed reforms to end Android app market monopoly - eviltoast
Google should be barred from “treating Epic differently,” Epic Games says.
  • RobotToaster@mander.xyzEnglish
    91·
    9 months ago

    In addition to what atocci said, apps not downloaded from an app store by default have limitations on their access to accessibility services.

    • ozymandias117@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      9 months ago

      Huh. That’s a weird restriction that definitely gives credence to their case

      Are accessibility services only part of Google Play and not AOSP…?

      Edit: FalseMyrmidon pointed out an article about the restriction below

      https://www.androidpolice.com/android-13-blocks-accessibility-services-sideloaded-apps/

      Which states it’s only for side loaded applications, not for applications downloaded through a separate app store, so this wouldn’t affect Epic

      It’s also important to note that Google is only restricting sideloaded apps. If you use an alternative app distribution platform like F-Droid or the Amazon app store, you won’t run into the accessibility services restrictions

      • FalseMyrmidon@kbin.run
        3·
        9 months ago

        Things like screen reader access have huge potential uses by malware. Generally it should not be trivial for a program to get that level of access to everything you do.

        • ozymandias117@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          9 months ago

          The restriction of being limited to Google Play and not other app stores implies the implementation is part of Google Play Services, and not included in AOSP

          So I was curious if that’s how it’s implemented on Android - I know Google loves moving features out of AOSP

          However, things like Android-Password-Store used Accessibility services through F-Droid for autotyping back when I used it

          So, trying to understand what has been locked down, since I’m planning on going back to GrapheneOS

          • FalseMyrmidon@kbin.run
            4·
            9 months ago

            https://www.androidpolice.com/android-13-blocks-accessibility-services-sideloaded-apps/

            It just takes an additional warning acknowledgement.

            Google isn’t fully stopping sideloaded apps from using accessibility services, though. Once you’ve run into the dialog saying that accessibility services are restricted for the app in question, you can activate access under the app info screen in the top right corner via the “allow restricted settings” menu entry, so if you’re a power user interested in augmenting your phone with a legitimate app, you can still do that. This seems like a loophole that nefarious apps could circumvent by instructing users to enable restricted settings. Thus, it’s possible that Google will still change this behavior before going live with stable Android 13.

            • ozymandias117@lemmy.worldEnglish
              1·
              9 months ago

              Thanks!

              It’s also important to note that Google is only restricting sideloaded apps. If you use an alternative app distribution platform like F-Droid or the Amazon app store, you won’t run into the accessibility services restrictions, with Google probably reasoning that applications in app stores are screened, at least to a degree.