Given its more open ecosystem, Android has vulnerabilities due to the many types of malware that run rampant. Some malware even managed to bypass Google's surveillance because it was categorized as a stalkerware application.
Malware often tries to hide from Google's surveillance through stalkerware applications. However, from now on stalkerware applications are banned from the Google Play Store, unless permitted.
Stalkerware itself is a label assigned to applications that are not actually Potentially Malicious Applications (PHA) or malware, but still track owner's usage of the device, often without content or even simple notification.
Also called "spouseware" for its ability to spy on (suspected) fraudulent partners, this class of applications can even include parental control and monitoring applications.
That's why when Google announced a new policy to ban stalkerware apps starting October 1 this year, there were actually exceptions.
Apps designed for parental monitoring and enterprise management can still be distributed on the Google Play Store, but they must adhere to some rules. For example, the application is required to display a persistent notification that the user is being tracked or monitored.
Although exceptions were made to enable app and parental controls, this could still be a loophole. Malware exploitation can still occur if supervision is not done carefully.
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