Amazon is now blocking access to apps that have been identified as providing pirated content, including those downloaded outside the tech giant's app store. "Piracy is illegal, and we've always worked to block it from our Appstore," an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement. "This builds on our ongoing efforts to support creators and protect customers, as piracy can also expose users to malware, viruses, and fraud."
The Dutch mobile security firm said the change is driven by recent security protections that Google has piloted in select markets like Singapore, Thailand, Brazil, and India to block sideloading of potentially suspicious apps requesting dangerous permissions like SMS messages and accessibility services, a heavily abused setting to carry out malicious actions on Android devices. "Google Play Protect's defences, particularly the targeted Pilot Program, are increasingly effective at stopping risky apps before they run," the company said. "Second, actors want to future-proof their operations."
