Google has apparently refused to fix a major security flaw that affects nearly a billion Android users. This flaw is located in the WebView tool, as previously reported by Samsung Update. WebView allows applications to show web pages, and is present in most fragments of the Android Operating System. The WebView bug could allow hackers and individuals with malicious intent to break into your smartphone and conduct malicious actions. This is is more true for users running Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) or below.
According to publicly published stats, there are over 900 million Android users running Android 4.3 or below. When this discrepancy was discovered by mobile security researchers a few days ago, Google came under fire from scores of critics and security buffs from all over the world. But even worse is the fact that the company has said it will not address the issue, which has put it on the wrong side of the equation, especially considered that over a billion Android users security could be at stake.
"Although the 2 most recent versions of Android (Android 4.4 KitKat and Android 5.0 Lollipop) aren't affected, over 60% of all Android users are running version 4.3 or below. 'If the affected version [of WebView] is before 4.4, we generally do not develop the patches ourselves, but welcome patches with the report for consideration," the company said.
"Other than notifying OEMs, we will not be able to take action on any report that is affecting versions before 4.4 that are not accompanied with a patch."
This smells like a scenario of bad faith, and Google is obviously not doing justice by leaving the scores of Android users running 4.3 or below on the line. It's likely that the immense complaints from security researchers will lead to a patch of some sorts, but getting these patches to all the affected users can be a challenge in itself.