Google has made a small but important update to the language in the Google Play Store’s terms and conditions that more clearly prohibits apps from pushing updates outside of the Google Play Store.
The move comes in response to recent updates pushed by Facebook that circumvented the Play Store’s updating mechanisms. Android device owners are still allowed to install applications from sources other than the Play Store, but apps that are officially distributed through the Play Store must use the Play Store to deliver updates.
The new language reads, “An app downloaded from Google Play may not modify, replace or update its own APK binary code using any method other than Google Play’s update mechanism.” The idea is to protect Android device owners from malicious code.
