Google adds DRM to Android apps to verify that they are the real deal

Google has started adding security metadata to Android APKs (application installers) to verify that apps have been downloaded from a trusted channel.

Once an application has been verified, it will be added to your application library, where it can later receive updates via Google Play. You can also share it with other users via the Family Library.

James Bender, product manager at Google Play, says the change will allow apps to reach a wider audience. Peer-to-peer application sharing is common in regions where data connectivity is uneven, and DRM allows users to check offline applications and download updates at a time that suits them.

Developers also gain more control over their applications. If they wish, they can edit the metadata at any time, ending support for the current version of the application and creating a new listing in the Google Play Store.

Freedom of loading

The Android malware is a serious problem, and the new DRM means that it will be impossible for fraudsters to tamper with an app, and then release it into the wild.

However, the new DRM raises questions about freedom for users. If a future Android update prevents phones from running applications without the necessary DRM, this would prevent users from taking risks and loading applications that are not available on the Google Play Store.

We asked Google for advice and will update this article when we receive an answer.

Via Engadget