Users can no longer use unknown apps from Android 13 side loading If they use the Android Accessibility API, Esper will find out. Only apps that are sideloaded through trusted app stores like Google Play Store and F-Droid can be loaded this way. Smartphone access to non-sideloaded, self-acquired APKs through such app stores is restricted to Android 13.

The problem with the Android Accessibility API is that the accessibility feature allows malicious developers to have almost complete control over a device. The API is designed, for example, for application developers who want to make their products accessible to the visually impaired or deaf.

Users need to give permission to this app to access all kinds of features. When installing an untrusted application that wants to use the accessibility feature, users are not given the option to allow it. The corresponding setting is then greyed out. Clicking on the setting, the user will see the message: “For your security, this setting is currently unavailable.”

Accessibility API is a background service with wide access on an Android smartphone. For example, the api can read what is happening on the screen or pass alternative input to an application. Not surprisingly, these functions can also be used for malicious purposes that Google tries to block in this way.

Source: Esper

Source: Hardware Info

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