Dive summary:
- The makers of advert-banishing app Adblock Plus are upset that their app will now only work on Android devices after an eight-step process because of Google's changes to the OS.
- Google claims the changes were necessary because malicious programs can use proxy configuration, like that used in Adblock Plus, to intercept users' data and endanger their privacy.
- Adblock Plus' developers have taken to Google forums to speak out against the security changes they feel unfairly target their app in the hope that they can inspire change.
From the article:
"In Chrome land, Google changed the way users could search for its web browser's apps, and since Adblock Plus was established as an extension, the utility stopped appearing when users looked for apps. Adblock Plus switched to offering a Chrome app on 12 December, only for Google to take it down 12 hours later. The software's maker accused Google of singling out the utility, which we're told has been downloaded 190 million times for Firefox, for unfavourable treatment - and cast the Android security tweaks as the latest skirmish in a long-running battle."
