Who’s security?
I’ve really got mixed feelings about this feature to the point where I can’t see myself using this. Firstly, security should be built-in through the use of good design choices, not added via some toggle. But sure, let’s consider a toggle that improves security. Why is this getting confused with sideloading? Why should apps have this visibility into my settings?
Overall, the idea stikes me as half-baked and trying to serve too many sometimes conflicting interests.
Instead of forcing developers to make more reliable applications, Google will leak this status (privacy invasive IMHO) and developers will use it to block features.
Am I wrong somewhere?
No, that sounds accurate. Basically “Advanced protection” puts security in Google’s hands, and therefore is irrelevant to people worried about Google being the security risk…
Advanced protection
blocks side loading
disables installing apps from outside the Google Play Store
— so to me, running a degoogled Android device it is not just useless but actively harmful to the security of future apps that may become overreliant on this monopolist framework.
Maybe Google could stop shipping malware via advertising
They absolutely could, and arguably they should — will they, though?
They will if the cost/benefit equation changes. I don’t only mean economics here, but I am using “cost/benefit” as a wide spectrum metaphor. In other words, once it’s not worth doing, they won’t do it anymore.
