Google's new security policy on accessibility features will limit or remove 'hundreds of good, useful apps'

[Redaktion]

The next stage of Google's push to improve Android security is putting a spotlight on applications which misuse accessibility features to add functionality that wasn't expressely designed to improve use for people with disabilities. Some popular apps affected include LastPass, Cerberus, and Tasker.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Google-s-new-security-policy-on-accessibility-features-will-limit-or-remove-hundreds-of-good-useful-apps.263722.0.html

[SeranAntares]

So more restrictions? Feels like Google wants to have Android like Apple does with iOS (be quite restricted).

[Craig Ward]

Unfortunately, being more restrictive is one of the ways that they can combat the claims of Android's poor security in comparison to iOS.

I'd prefer if the approach was to separate the security update service in a way that allows Google to distribute security patches directly. It would need to be done in a way that didn't affect manufacturers customisations so as to not need their involvement. This way manufacturer involvement would only be needed for version updates (e.g. 7.0 to 7.1).

However, I imagine that this is very difficult (or near impossible?) to implement, which will be why they're going after the things they can change more immediately.