Google is once again strengthening application access to accessibility services (API AccessibilityService) in Android. This change is due to a concern for the security of users to protect them from potentially dangerous programs that can take full control of the device.

By accessing the AccessibilityService API, the program is able to view and directly manipulate the content on the screen, as well as perform actions on behalf of the user.

In other words, the app has full control over the device. It is primarily intended for people with disabilities. For example, Google’s TalkBack application is used to read text on the screen, which is useful for the visually impaired. However, attackers can take advantage of this opportunity.

To protect users from scammers, Google has decided to restrict access to the AccessibilityService API to applications downloaded from untrusted sources. In other words, this does not apply to apps downloaded from Google Play, F-Droid, and other official app stores. The change will take effect from Android 13.

Earlier, Google announced that since May 11, it will restrict access to the AccessibilityService API to third-party programs for recording telephone conversations.