Google forms alliance with some Android security specialists

The App Defense Alliance brings together Google, ESET, Lookout, and Zimperium to combat baddies on Android.

Scott Bicheno

November 6, 2019

1 Min Read
Google forms alliance with some Android security specialists

The App Defense Alliance brings together Google, ESET, Lookout, and Zimperium to combat baddies on Android.

Considering how huge and diverse the Android ecosystem is it’s surprising how few malware catastrophes it has had. Maybe that thanks in part to the work of companies like Lookout, that offer freemium security apps on the Play Store. Google has apparently decided to be a bit more proactive on the security front itself, but without undermining all the good work that has already been done, hence the creation of the App Defense Alliance.

Working closely with our industry partners gives us an opportunity to collaborate with some truly talented researchers in our field and the detection engines they’ve built,” blogged Dave Kleidermacher, VP, Android Security & Privacy. “This is all with the goal of, together, reducing the risk of app-based malware, identifying new threats, and protecting our users.”

The clever bit involves integrating the Google Play Protect detection systems with each partner’s scanning engines. This will result in several pairs of eyes having a close look at apps that are in the queue for publication on the Play store and, in theory, resuce the chances of any of them containing any moody code.

Judging by an interview Kleidermacher gave Wired, from Google’s perspective this is all about coordinating the security efforts of a bunch of previously autonomous players. What’s in it for the other partners isn’t so obvious. In the Wired article they said all the right things about being greater than the sum of their parts, but we wouldn’t be surprised if a bit of Google cash helped persuade them too.

About the Author

Scott Bicheno

As the Editorial Director of Telecoms.com, Scott oversees all editorial activity on the site and also manages the Telecoms.com Intelligence arm, which focuses on analysis and bespoke content.
Scott has been covering the mobile phone and broader technology industries for over ten years. Prior to Telecoms.com Scott was the primary smartphone specialist at industry analyst Strategy Analytics’. Before that Scott was a technology journalist, covering the PC and telecoms sectors from a business perspective.
Follow him @scottbicheno

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