The Dutch mobile security firm said the change is driven by recent security protections that Google has piloted in select markets like Singapore, Thailand, Brazil, and India to block sideloading of potentially suspicious apps requesting dangerous permissions like SMS messages and accessibility services, a heavily abused setting to carry out malicious actions on Android devices. "Google Play Protect's defences, particularly the targeted Pilot Program, are increasingly effective at stopping risky apps before they run," the company said. "Second, actors want to future-proof their operations."