Google To Remove Apps Abusing Accessibility Services, Only For Disabled Users

Google has recently sent out a warning to certain apps that are using its API called Accessibility Services. This API is meant only to support disabled users, who might have trouble with using the apps. Other than this particular case, Accessibility Services should not be implemented simply because it causes security risks with other apps.

As 9to5Google reports, Google’s decision to crack down on apps abusing the API will likely affect thousands of items in the Play Store. The publication actually got hold of an email sent to the developers of an app called BatterySaver, in which the search engine company warned the firm that it was not adhering to its policies.

“We’re contacting you because your app, BatterySaver System Shortcut, with package name com.floriandraschbacher.batterysaver.free is requesting the ‘android.permission.BIND_ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE.’ Apps requesting accessibility services should only be used to help users with disabilities use Android devices and apps. Your app must comply with our Permissions policy and the Prominent Disclosure requirements of our User Data policy,” the email reads.

At this point, developers either need to provide justification for the presence of the API in their apps or drop it. If no action is taken, the apps will be removed from the Play Store.

On that note, it might be severely problematic for many of these apps if they got rid of the API. According to many of the responses going around the web from developers, dropping Accessibility Services would essentially serve to severely downgrade their apps, Android Police reports.

It would seem that the biggest issue that developers have with this announcement is how difficult it is to adhere to. Even if the use of the API is specifically for users with disabilities, it might still violate policies because it can be used by non-disabled users. It’s a no-win scenario for developers.