Android System SafetyCore: Difference between revisions
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Android System SafetyCore is an app developed and released by [[Google]] for the [[Android]] platform. According to [[Google]] the software provides locally-run nudity censoring for any Android devices running version 9 (pie) or later.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=22 Oct 2024 |title=5 new protections on Google Messages to help keep you safe |url=https://security.googleblog.com/2024/10/5-new-protections-on-google-messages.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https:// | Android System SafetyCore is an app developed and released by [[Google]] for the [[Android]] platform. According to [[Google]] the software provides locally-run nudity censoring for any Android devices running version 9 (pie) or later.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=22 Oct 2024 |title=5 new protections on Google Messages to help keep you safe |url=https://security.googleblog.com/2024/10/5-new-protections-on-google-messages.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260108020643/https://security.googleblog.com/2024/10/5-new-protections-on-google-messages.html |archive-date=8 Jan 2026|access-date=15 Apr 2025 |website=Google Security Blog}}</ref> | ||
==Consumer impact summary== | ==Consumer impact summary== | ||
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===Installation without informed consent (January 22, 2025)=== | ===Installation without informed consent (January 22, 2025)=== | ||
In January 22, 2025, Google quietly rolled out Android System SafetyCore to all Android devices. The installation of the program neither informed consumers that it was installed, nor did it request consumers to install it onto their devices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thitu |first=Naftary |date=10 Feb 2025 |title=Rogue or Safe App? Unmasking Android System SafetyCore |url=https://techweez.com/2025/02/07/hidden-guardian-or-unwanted-intruder-unmasking-android-system-safetycore/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https:// | In January 22, 2025, Google quietly rolled out Android System SafetyCore to all Android devices. The installation of the program neither informed consumers that it was installed, nor did it request consumers to install it onto their devices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thitu |first=Naftary |date=10 Feb 2025 |title=Rogue or Safe App? Unmasking Android System SafetyCore |url=https://techweez.com/2025/02/07/hidden-guardian-or-unwanted-intruder-unmasking-android-system-safetycore/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260208111452/https://techweez.com/2025/02/07/hidden-guardian-or-unwanted-intruder-unmasking-android-system-safetycore/ |archive-date=8 Feb 2026|access-date=15 Apr 2025 |website=techweez}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Android System SafetyCore |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/antivirus/comments/1iih2ll/android_system_safetycore/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250206211210/https://old.reddit.com/r/antivirus/comments/1iih2ll/android_system_safetycore/ |archive-date=6 Feb 2025|access-date=15 Apr 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> This additionally bypassed any features consumers have enabled that blocks installations of programs without consumer approval first. | ||
Due to a lack of both transparency or open sourcing, it has brought significant amounts of concern from consumers, especially those who work in tech security. <ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Feb 2025 |title=Android System SafetyCore: Hidden Installation and What You Should Know |url=https://www.protectstar.com/en/blog/android-system-safetycore-hidden-installation-and-what-you-should-know |url-status=live |archive-url=https:// | Due to a lack of both transparency or open sourcing, it has brought significant amounts of concern from consumers, especially those who work in tech security. <ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Feb 2025 |title=Android System SafetyCore: Hidden Installation and What You Should Know |url=https://www.protectstar.com/en/blog/android-system-safetycore-hidden-installation-and-what-you-should-know |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222205516/https://www.protectstar.com/en/blog/android-system-safetycore-hidden-installation-and-what-you-should-know |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=15 Apr 2025 |website=ProtectStar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Guys help some app called android system safetycore installed automatically |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/antivirus/comments/1gpdhwz/guys_help_some_app_called_android_system/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250210162115/https://old.reddit.com/r/antivirus/comments/1gpdhwz/guys_help_some_app_called_android_system/ |archive-date=10 Feb 2025|access-date=15 Apr 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@dancytron |date=8 Feb 2025 |title=Android System SafetyCore |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/antivirus/comments/1gpdhwz/guys_help_some_app_called_android_system/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250210162115/https://old.reddit.com/r/antivirus/comments/1gpdhwz/guys_help_some_app_called_android_system/ |archive-date=10 Feb 2025|access-date=15 Apr 2025 |website=Puppy Linux Discussion Forum}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@Phosphate5 |date=12 Feb 2025 |title=Android System SafetyCore is being silently installed on android devices |url=https://forum.artixlinux.org/index.php/topic,7782.msg46658.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250506184115/https://forum.artixlinux.org/index.php/topic,7782.msg46658.html |archive-date=6 May 2025|access-date=15 Apr 2025 |website=Artix Linux Forum}} | ||
</ref> With [[Google]] directly stating that the program scans photos that are sent on the messages app, it has set a precedent for this concern as well, since malicious actors or [[Google]] themselves could theoretically hijack this product for illicit purposes, such as setting the app to scan for more than just mature photos, or scanning files beyond just what the messages app is allowed. | </ref> With [[Google]] directly stating that the program scans photos that are sent on the messages app, it has set a precedent for this concern as well, since malicious actors or [[Google]] themselves could theoretically hijack this product for illicit purposes, such as setting the app to scan for more than just mature photos, or scanning files beyond just what the messages app is allowed. | ||
This lack of transparency has been also cited as a concern from GrapheneOS maintainers, stating that because it is not open source, they will not be including the app inside their operating system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@GrapheneOS |date=8 Feb 2025 |title=The functionality provided by Google's new Android System SafetyCore app |url=https://x.com/GrapheneOS/status/1888280836426084502?mx=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https:// | This lack of transparency has been also cited as a concern from [[GrapheneOS]] maintainers, stating that because it is not open source, they will not be including the app inside their operating system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@GrapheneOS |date=8 Feb 2025 |title=The functionality provided by Google's new Android System SafetyCore app |url=https://x.com/GrapheneOS/status/1888280836426084502?mx=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251126043552/https://x.com/GrapheneOS/status/1888280836426084502?mx=2 |archive-date=26 Nov 2025|access-date=15 Apr 2025 |website=[[X]]}}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||