Google rolled out an update (4.4.2) for its latest Android version Kitkat, last week. But the update regrettably misses on one of the most useful feature, the 'App Ops', which was available in previous Android versions, 4.3 and 4.4.
Many of the Android users are still wondering what 'App Ops' is as the permission management tool was silently or rather as Google says 'mistakenly' made available on the earlier Android versions. The tool is more like a security check that offers a choice to the Android users to decide what data a third-party app can access on a smartphone. But unfortunately, the search engine giant has removed this security feature on the latest updated Kitkat version claiming the tool is not yet ready for use, reports Engadget.
The user can anytime turn off access to any of the secured data for a third party app, which can even lead to a crash of the apps sometimes, according to Google, reads a recent post on Android authority.
However, this move of Google has been vehemently criticized by Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a U.S.-based non-profit organization working for digital rights. According to EFF, removal of App Ops can lead to breach of secured data anytime on Android devices. "The disappearance of App Ops is alarming news for Android users," wrote Peter Eckersley, an EFF representative on the official blog. "The fact that [Android users] cannot turn off app permissions is a Stygian hole in the Android security model."
Google has not directly refuted the claims of EFF but explained to its users that they have mistakenly employed the tool on the earlier Android versions but using the app management tool for now may put users into trouble later. Some more improvements need to be done on App Ops to make it market ready, clarified Google.
EFF is still persisting that Google revert the permission management tool as the company believes the security check to be truly necessary for the Android users. In fact, EFF has come up with a few suggestions for Google that it wants to see on the improved version of App ops.
A bug free improved feature is always welcome but no doubt a useful feature withdrawn in some days after becoming increasingly popular among users infuriates many of the patrons.
