Google is making some changes to protect the security of its users on Android. In fact, just as Google will remove the permissions from the apps you don’t use, it has now made some changes so that it is more difficult for some apps to know which applications you have installed on your Android mobile.
Google limits the apps that can see what you have installed on your mobile
The fact that Google begins to limit the apps that can see the other apps that you have installed on your mobile is because the company considers that this is personal information . So, if an app can know what you have installed on your mobile, your privacy is being violated.
Google is going to restrict all apps that request the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission . Note that the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission is requested by some apps on Android 11 or higher.
Also, Google will only allow some apps to have access to the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES . In fact, Google will only give the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission to apps that need to see other apps to work properly. On the other hand, the developers of the apps that request the aforementioned permission will have to explain to Google why they need this information.
For example, some apps that according to Google will be able to see what you have installed on your mobile are some like antivirus, file managers and browsers . Keep in mind that the apps we mentioned above need to have access to everything you have on your device to work properly. After all, an antivirus won’t do its job well if it doesn’t scan all the files and apps on your phone, right?
It’s also important to know that if Google grants the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission to an app, the app’s developers must still sign a form in the Play Console . On the other hand, if the developers of an app that meets the requirements to access your mobile information do not sign the form in the Play Console, they run the risk that Google will remove their app from the Play Store.
Without a doubt, these measures by Google seem to be made to protect your data and your privacy . However, there are also some things you can do to improve your privacy on Android.
