Some feel Amazon's app store is putting millions of Android devices at risk

In order to get Amazon's Appstore application on your phone, you must manually install it after you have enabled the unknown sources toggle. However, some researchers say this is putting people's devices at risk because this is the first line of defense in stopping themselves from installing a malicious app.

 

[WQing]

Amazon app is not putting people at risk. Google not publishing rival app discovery platforms on Play Store is putting people at risk.

 

[Phalon4]

Well I'm a Avet Amazon user and I do not use the app because it serves no purpose if you have a internet connection on your device. Just log into Amazon.com via chrome, it's much safer and more secure than the app. But if you have a crappy cheap phone, I recommend not installing any app on it that requires a debit or credit card to transact business.

 

[mikedt]

Amazon app is not putting people at risk. Google not publishing rival app discovery platforms on Play Store is putting people at risk.

But Google does publish information showing "rival" app stores...

Not all of them are for Android either.

 

[WQing]

But Google does publish information showing "rival" app stores...

View attachment 120251

Not all of them are for Android either.

Those must've slipped under Google's eyes or are too small to be a concern. Or they could be not real "stores" but a discovery platform that still redirect to Play. Google had been having this in their Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement:

4.5 Non-Compete. You may not use the Market to distribute or make available any Product whose primary purpose is to facilitate the distribution of software applications and games for use on Android devices outside of the Market.

As of September 2014, they changed it further to say (this is still the in-use version today) and low key rule out Amazon:

4.5 Alternative Stores. You may not use the Store to distribute or make available any Product which has a purpose that facilitates the distribution of software applications and games for use on Android devices outside of the Store.

 

[Deleted User]

Well Amazon similarly do not facilitate installation of Play Store apps on Kindle tablet devices, so I guess they really don't want to cooperate with each other.

 

[lisamillerrn93]

My husband found out

 

[zuben el genub]

I've used Amazon. One case - Google told me the app did not work on my device. Funny thing, I was trying to update the damn app. It did work. The updated app I installed from Amazon had no problem. Google now sees it as current and wants to update it.

The other 3 apps from the same mfg, using the same software updated with no fuss. I simply re-purchased from Amazon for 99 cents.

Amazon was all right until this last year when they went to the new format.

Appbrain has a better description of some apps than the Play Store. But if you want an app, you usually have to go to the Play Store to get it. There is one app store you can use if you don't have Google. I've seen it in some browsers. I can use midiapolis on my ereader. It's Android, Polish, and it doesn't have Google, nor do I want Google.
I buy books from independent sellers only.