Forced app download: Difference between revisions

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Devices must also be running stock operating systems since most government and business apps conduct intrusive checks<ref>{{Cite web |title=Configure API responses (optional) |url=https://developer.android.com/google/play/integrity/setup#default |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Android Developers}}</ref> and will not run if a device is jail-broken or rooted.

Some companies such as big banks in Singapore have also started incorporating checks for "unverified apps" in their app. This means their app will scan your phone and check for sideloaded apps (anywhere that is not the official app store. For example, an app downloaded directly from APK Mirror or an unofficial app repository like F-Droid) as part of "anti-scam security measures that include restricting customers from accessing the banks’ digital services on their mobile phones if apps from unverified app stores – also known as sideloaded apps – are detected."<ref>{{Cite web |last=See Kit |first=Tang |date=26 Sep 2023 |title=DBS, UOB become latest banks to restrict access if unverified apps are found on customers' phones |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/dbs-uob-anti-scam-sideloaded-app-malware-measure-latest-bank-restrict-app-access-3796806 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Channel News Asia}}</ref>

Some companies such as big banks in Singapore have also started incorporating checks for "unverified apps" in their app. This means their app will scan your phone and check for sideloaded apps (anywhere that is not the official app store. For example, an app downloaded directly from APK Mirror or an unofficial app repository like F-Droid) as part of "anti-scam security measures that include restricting customers from accessing the banks’ digital services on their mobile phones if apps from unverified app stores – also known as [[Sideloading|sideloaded apps]] – are detected."<ref>{{Cite web |last=See Kit |first=Tang |date=26 Sep 2023 |title=DBS, UOB become latest banks to restrict access if unverified apps are found on customers' phones |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/dbs-uob-anti-scam-sideloaded-app-malware-measure-latest-bank-restrict-app-access-3796806 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Channel News Asia}}</ref>

===Surge pricing===

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*Government tax agency charging you "excess carbon footprint" taxes because you often order a lot of clothes beyond the number that the "Average" person of your profile wears, based on what your favorite fast fashion retailer with forced app download is sharing with them.

=== Discrimination ===

===Discrimination===

Those who can not or do not have the required technology are further disadvantaged. Not everybody can afford a smart phone. Not everybody can operate one, differences in visual ability, physical ability, mental ability (e.g., dementia) can make smart phones unusable. Visitors, tourists, and those who have had a device lost, stolen or broken lose out. If banking requires an app, and your phone breaks, how do you get the money to buy a replacement?

=== Decreased security ===

===Decreased security===

If many people are using an app for valuable transactions, the app may become a target for malware. (Create fake versions of the app, exploit weaknesses in the app, etc.)

=== Increased vulnerability in adverse circumstances ===

===Increased vulnerability in adverse circumstances===

It may become harder to function in emergency situations. If network connections are unavailable, or power is out for an extended period, how do you get necessities?

When errors are found in the app you may lose access to important services. With a web browser, you have alternatives. ~~There may be no~~ alternative to the app.

When errors are found in the app you may lose access to important services. With a web browser, you have alternatives. What are the alternative to the app?

~~Victims of~~ domestic violence ~~often do not have~~ control of ~~their~~ devices. ~~In such~~ a ~~situation~~, the other party may be able to ~~continue to endanger the victim via manipulation of the device, even when they are not present~~.[[File:Digital turbine logo .png|alt=digital turbine logo |thumb|digital turbine logo ]]

In domestic violence, control of devices can be one of the ways to control a person. If a device is needed to access the bank, then whoever controls that device may control the money. Even if the victim gets physical possession of a device, the other party may be able to remotely manipulate it.[[File:Digital turbine logo .png|alt=digital turbine logo |thumb|digital turbine logo ]]

[[File:No unverified apps.png|thumb|Singapore banks will "restrict access if unverified apps AKA sideloaded apps are found on customers' phones" (News story from Sep 2023)]]

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 Devices must also be running stock operating systems since most government and business apps conduct intrusive checks<ref>{{Cite web |title=Configure API responses (optional) |url=https://developer.android.com/google/play/integrity/setup#default |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Android Developers}}</ref> and will not run if a device is jail-broken or rooted.<!-- How prevalent is this outside singapore? also seems like a direct restatement of what was said earlier --><!-- The following block should include info about common apps that integrate these invasive measures. -->
-Some companies such as big banks in Singapore have also started incorporating checks for "unverified apps" in their app. This means their app will scan your phone and check for sideloaded apps (anywhere that is not the official app store. For example, an app downloaded directly from APK Mirror or an unofficial app repository like F-Droid) as part of "anti-scam security measures that include restricting customers from accessing the banks’ digital services on their mobile phones if apps from unverified app stores – also known as sideloaded apps – are detected."<ref>{{Cite web |last=See Kit |first=Tang |date=26 Sep 2023 |title=DBS, UOB become latest banks to restrict access if unverified apps are found on customers' phones |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/dbs-uob-anti-scam-sideloaded-app-malware-measure-latest-bank-restrict-app-access-3796806 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Channel News Asia}}</ref>
+Some companies such as big banks in Singapore have also started incorporating checks for "unverified apps" in their app. This means their app will scan your phone and check for sideloaded apps (anywhere that is not the official app store. For example, an app downloaded directly from APK Mirror or an unofficial app repository like F-Droid) as part of "anti-scam security measures that include restricting customers from accessing the banks’ digital services on their mobile phones if apps from unverified app stores – also known as [[Sideloading|sideloaded apps]] – are detected."<ref>{{Cite web |last=See Kit |first=Tang |date=26 Sep 2023 |title=DBS, UOB become latest banks to restrict access if unverified apps are found on customers' phones |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/dbs-uob-anti-scam-sideloaded-app-malware-measure-latest-bank-restrict-app-access-3796806 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Channel News Asia}}</ref>
 ===Surge pricing===
@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 *Government tax agency charging you "excess carbon footprint" taxes because you often order a lot of clothes beyond the number that the "Average" person of your profile wears, based on what your favorite fast fashion retailer with forced app download is sharing with them.
-=== Discrimination ===
+===Discrimination===
 Those who can not or do not have the required technology are further disadvantaged.  Not everybody can afford a smart phone.  Not everybody can operate one, differences in visual ability, physical ability, mental ability (e.g., dementia) can make smart phones unusable.  Visitors, tourists, and those who have had a device lost, stolen or broken lose out.  If banking requires an app, and your phone breaks, how do you get the money to buy a replacement?
-=== Decreased security ===
+===Decreased security===
 If many people are using an app for valuable transactions, the app may become a target for malware.  (Create fake versions of the app, exploit weaknesses in the app, etc.)
-=== Increased vulnerability in adverse circumstances ===
+===Increased vulnerability in adverse circumstances===
 It may become harder to function in emergency situations.  If network connections are unavailable, or power is out for an extended period, how do you get necessities?
-When errors are found in the app you may lose access to important services.  With a web browser, you have alternatives. There may be no alternative to the app.
+When errors are found in the app you may lose access to important services.  With a web browser, you have alternatives. What are the alternative to the app?
-Victims of domestic violence often do not have control of their devices.  In such a situation, the other party may be able to continue to endanger the victim via manipulation of the device, even when they are not present.[[File:Digital turbine logo .png|alt=digital turbine logo |thumb|digital turbine logo ]]
+In domestic violence, control of devices can be one of the ways to control a person.  If a device is needed to access the bank, then whoever controls that device may control the money.  Even if the victim gets physical possession of a device, the other party may be able to remotely manipulate it.[[File:Digital turbine logo .png|alt=digital turbine logo |thumb|digital turbine logo ]]
 [[File:No unverified apps.png|thumb|Singapore banks will "restrict access if unverified apps AKA sideloaded apps are found on customers' phones" (News story from Sep 2023)]]