On September 10, Android Authority reported that Google is advancing its Play Integrity API to assist developers in determining whether applications are in an ” unauthorized” state, specifically when users have not installed or purchased the app through Google Play.
Initially announced at this year’s I/O conference, the Play Integrity API is designed to help developers verify the legitimacy of application installation files running on compliant Android devices. This includes checking if the apps are authorized for interaction and server requests.
The API enables developers to confirm whether the application currently in use has been installed from the Google Play Store. If an application is detected to have been sideloaded, developers will have the option to prevent its execution and redirect users to download the app from the Google Play Store.
Sideloading applications on Android devices is relatively easy, but it poses potential security risks. Sideloaded apps may not offer their full functionality and could even harm the Android system through malware or poor coding.
To assess an app’s legitimacy, developers utilize various parameters, including whether the installation file is recognized by Google Play, whether it was installed or purchased from Google Play, and whether it operates on an Android device supported by Google Play services. The Play Integrity API provides a response to developers when their application is used on an Android device, indicating whether these criteria are met.
Notably, ChatGPT is among the few applications that have already implemented the Play Integrity API. When users attempt to access the sideloaded version of the ChatGPT app, they are presented with a Google Play Store interface that prompts them to download the application from the designated source.