- Google is testing a new restriction in Android 17 Beta 2 that blocks non-accessibility apps from using the accessibility services API when Advanced Protection Mode is active.
- The change, part of Android’s Advanced Protection Mode (AAPM), significantly limits functionality for apps like password managers and automation tools to minimize the attack surface against complex cyberattacks.
- Only verified accessibility tools, such as screen readers and Braille access programs, will retain access, as the feature automatically revokes permissions for other apps when enabled.
Google is now testing a critical security feature in Android 17 Beta 2 that prevents most apps from accessing a sensitive operating system API, a move first reported last week and aimed at curbing rampant data theft. This update to the Android Advanced Protection Mode (AAPM) specifically targets the abuse of the accessibility services API by malicious software.
When enabled, AAPM places a device into a heightened security state, prioritizing defense over convenience similar to Apple’s Lockdown Mode. Consequently, the new restriction will automatically revoke accessibility API permissions for any app not officially classified as an accessibility tool.
According to Google, only screen readers and specific input systems are designated as verified accessibility tools. However, popular utilities like antivirus software, password managers, and launchers are explicitly excluded from this privileged category.
The accessibility services API has legitimate uses for assisting users with disabilities, but it has been extensively weaponized by attackers in recent years. Google noted that developers can use the AdvancedProtectionManager API to detect AAPM’s status and adjust their app’s security posture automatically.
Meanwhile, Android 17 also introduces a new contacts picker for improved data privacy, granting apps granular, user-approved access. “This grants your app read access to only the selected data, ensuring granular control while providing a consistent user experience,” Google stated about the feature.
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