"Spyware Lurks in Android Smartphones"
According to researchers from the University of California, San Diego, New York University, and Cornell, Google has made installing spyware apps on Android smartphones easy. The researchers demonstrated how these Android spyware apps are built and use relatively simple Android Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for invasive spying capabilities. Although many of these APIs are required and provide beneficial functionality, researchers call on the Google/Android team to further explore how to prevent their misuse for spying on others. As a result of Google's decision to enable its Android operating system to install third-party apps from any online service, spyware apps can easily be installed on Android smartphones. The spyware installation process is as easy as it is for apps vetted as "safe" by the Google Play Store. Before being accepted by Apple's App Store, iOS apps are screened for safety on the iPhone. Android allows downloads from third-party websites, whereas Apple has chosen to restrict downloads to its own store. GitHub references hundreds of spyware apps, which often have similar names, such as Stalkerware and Watchware, as well as spyware services hidden in 3,988 dual-use apps. Criminals use spyware for illegal surveillance, profit, political leverage, blackmail, and other malicious purposes. This article continues to discuss spyware and how it can easily be installed on Android smartphones.