Android it's the most used operating system on the planet at the moment, and this despite the fact that there are some problems related to it, and those from Google still haven't managed to solve all of them. We are talking about the fact that in Android there is a lot of "bloatware", that is, a lot of applications that are preinstalled by phone manufacturers or mobile phone operators, the vast majority of them being completely useless and dangerous.
Android is the main subject of an open letter sent to Google by 53 people and organizations that promote improving the security of mobile devices, and all because of bloatware. According to this letter, 91% of the bloarware that is included in Android phones is not also distributed through the Google Play Store, so those applications are not checked beforehand by Google, and some of them are dangerous.
Android: URGENT Request for Google to Solve a BIG PROBLEM
Android is an operating system recognized for the fact that it offers a lot of freedom for developers and users, and from here comes the problem with the bloatware that exists in all phones, except the Pixel ones. Google is being asked to forbid Android phone manufacturers, or telecommunications operators, from pre-installing bloatware in the phones they sell, which of course they can do at any time.
“These pre-installed apps may have custom privileged permissions that allow them to operate outside of the Android security model. This means that permissions can be defined by the app – including access to the microphone, camera and location – without triggering standard Android security prompts. Hence, users are completely in the dark about these serious intrusions. We are concerned that this leaves users vulnerable to the exploitative business practices of cheap phone manufacturers around the world."
Android should not have pre-installed applications that are not previously verified by Google using the same system as the one in the Google Play Store, and this is required, including by DucDuckGo, or Tor, which are among the signatories of the open letter. Of course, Google should be attentive to what these people and these organizations ask of it, but by doing this for Android, the company risks alienating many phone manufacturers.
Android has many cheap phones sold with bloatware and applications designed to spy on people, or to display ads to them, so that manufacturers can recoup their investments, and Google will not be able to easily block this practice.
