In Singapore, Google is poised to launch a new feature aimed at safeguarding users from malware scams by automatically preventing Android users from installing apps from unverified sources.
This initiative, which has been through preliminary testing, is a result of the ongoing collaboration between Google and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) in the realm of cybersecurity and anti-scam measures.
According to a press release issued by the tech company on Wednesday (7 Feb), Singapore will be the inaugural country to roll out a phased pilot of this feature on Android devices in the coming weeks. This enhancement supplements the existing Google Play Protect malware protection system.
This new feature builds upon previous measures such as real-time app scanning. This functionality prompts users to conduct a real-time app scan to identify whether an Android app may be infected with malware. Once the scan is completed, users will receive notifications indicating whether the app is safe to install.
Image: Google
Google reported that since the introduction of real-time app scanning in October, over 515,000 potentially harmful apps have been identified, and more than 3.1 million warnings or blocks have been issued.
The update will gradually roll out to all Android users' devices and will be automatically enabled through Google Play Protect.
Find out more at the Straits Times and CSA Singapore.