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A comment on Google will allow users to sideload Android apps without verification. Parent comment

Re:Google will allow users to sideload Android apps without ... by sharperguy on Thursday November 13, 2025 @06:11AM (#45913514)
Considering phone scammers often convince their victims to:

- install remote desktop software

- run commands in the windows terminal

- withdraw cash from the bank

- lie to the bank teller about their purpose

- insert their cash into a bitcoin ATM at a gas station

- ignore warnings about scams which appear on the screen of the ATM

- insert the scammers bitcoin address into the machine

It isn't a stretch to imagine they could convince the victim to install adb and sideload an app.

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Re:Google will allow users to sideload Android apps without ... by extraduder_ire on Thursday November 13, 2025 @07:39AM (#45914196)
A change google made to android earlier this year prevents you from allowing unknown sources and installing apks while you are on a phone call.

I'm surprised they didn't think of doing that sooner.

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Re:Google will allow users to sideload Android apps without ... by 0xDEAFBEAD on Thursday November 13, 2025 @06:30AM (#45913656)
It seems to me if you raise the difficulty enough, and lower the success rate enough, at some point a given scam stops being economical. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45913529
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Re:Google will allow users to sideload Android apps without ... by Ajedi32 on Thursday November 13, 2025 @10:25AM (#45915983)
Notice though that we don't forbid people from withdrawing cash from the bank in order to prevent this.

Warning about scams is fine, as is taking steps to make it harder, but once you start trying to completely remove the agency of mentally sound adults "for their own good" then we have a problem.

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Re:Google will allow users to sideload Android apps without ... by port11 on Thursday November 13, 2025 @03:43PM (#45920274)
It's waaaay more complicated to download ADB and side load a random APK.

This is either a move towards tighter control of the platform or a government request. And somewhat ironic, given that iOS is being pressured to be a bit more open.

[ Parent | on HN ]