Google Play Protect - Privacy Implications

AttemptUndertook

I recently received the following notification on a profile with Sandboxed Google Play:

Google Play Protect is turned on
This feature protects your device from harmful apps

What are the privacy implications of having this on?
Looks like I can turn off this notification from Settings>Sandboxed Google Play>Play Store app info>Notifications, but I didn't see a way to turn off this functionality entirely. Is there a way to do that on GOS?

Thanks in advance!

Momud

AttemptUndertook You can only turn it off if you are not in the Google Advanced Protection Program.

Fay_Wilmont

AttemptUndertook I didn't see a way to turn off this functionality entirely. Is there a way to do that on GOS?

Look for Play Protect in the Play Store menu.

Edit: by the way, tapping the notification should also take you to the relevant screen.

Watermelon

AttemptUndertook What are the privacy implications of having this on?

Google Play Store can already see all apps installed in the user profile. That's how it can show you the list of installed apps within the Play Store itself. All Play Protect does (as far as I'm aware) is scan them for malware. You shouldn't feel safe having it enabled, but there's no good reason (at least that's how I see it) to disable it. Google Play Store and Play Protect cannot prevent you from installing an app that you really like against your wishes, it has no control over your device and it's limited to the permissions you give to the Google apps in any case. Play Protect might be able to detect a bad app on your device one day, and it doesn't require granting the Play Store any more permissions in order to work, so there's no harm in having it enabled.

AttemptUndertook

Momud

I don't recall signing up for Google Advanced Protection Program, but I do have my employer's apps installed on this profile. Would they have enrolled me automatically in this program?

n3t_admin

AttemptUndertook no, you can't force people into APP, Google Workspace doesn't allow it. Every user has to enable it manually.

AttemptUndertook

Fay_Wilmont

I am not signed into the Play Store, so it just takes me to the login screen. I got my work apps from the Aurora Store.

I had to install Microsoft Company portal for my Outlook and Teams apps to work on this profile. My employer has MS Intune. I am thinking I was auto-enrolled in this program.

Anyone have a similar experience?

Momud

AttemptUndertook I don't even know if it's enabled if you are not logged in, but you could try logging in the Play Store, disabling Play Protect and then disabling networks access for the play store.

Fay_Wilmont

Have you looked in the Play Store app's menu though?

AttemptUndertook

Fay_Wilmont

Thank you! I was able to turn this off by clicking on the 3 dots on the upper right hand corner. Looks like Play Protect is turned on by default even if you are not logged in.

Now the question is if Play Store already has access to see which apps you have installed, isn't it a good thing to keep this on to protect yourself from potentially harmful apps?