Google removes 43 Android apps that load ads when phone screen is off
Google has removed 43 Android apps from the Google Play Store that were loading ads when the phone screen was off. These apps violated Google's Play Developer policy, which prohibits apps from loading ads when the screen is off.
The apps that were removed include TV/DMB players, music downloaders, news apps, and calendar applications. They were mainly targeted at Korean users, but they could have been used to target users in other parts of the world as well.
The apps were found to be loading ads even when the phone was in sleep mode. This could drain the battery, increase data usage, and pose potential risks such as information leaks and disruption of user profiling.
Google has removed the apps from the Play Store and is working to prevent similar apps from being published in the future.
Here are some tips to protect your Android device from apps that load ads when the screen is off:
* Only download apps from trusted sources.
* Read the app's permissions before installing it.
* Be suspicious of apps that request permission to draw over other apps or to run in the background even when the app is not in use.
* Monitor your battery usage and data usage for any unusual spikes.
If you notice that your phone is draining battery or using data excessively, check for apps that you don't recognize or that you haven't used recently.
Uninstall any apps that you don't trust or that you don't use.
You can also use a security app to scan your device for malware and other harmful apps.