Xiaomi’s Quick Apps is one of the apps that come pre-installed on Redmi and Xiaomi phones, which is filled with advertisements. The app is now been reportedly flagged by Google Play Protect. Google has blocked an app update of Quick Apps. The flag shows that Quick Apps could potentially collect data and use it to track you. It is said that the data is being misused to deliver targeted or relevant ads to users.
The latest development comes from Xiaomi users on Twitter who have reported the blocking of Quick Apps update by Google Play Protect. Google Play Protect not only scans all the apps that are installed via the Play Store, but also the ones that are side-loaded or downloaded via a third-party store. It shows the warning, “This app can collect data that could be used to track you” when a user tries to update the Quick Apps. Xiaomi does not allow users to uninstall certain apps and Quick Apps is one of such applications.
Quick Apps update is likely to have violated some safety precaution that Play Protect requires. However, it is worth noting that it is unclear why Google Play Protect is blocking the said update. For reference, Quick Apps is reported to ask for more than 55 system-level permissions. This includes recording audio and video and even calls, capturing information like the users' SIM numbers, IMEI and IMSI numbers, and even can install apps on your phone without permission.
On the matter, Xiaomi has said that it is aware of the app update being blocked by Google Play Protect. Furthermore, Xiaomi says it is in touch with Google regarding this and it is likely happening due to a revision in Google Play Protect's algorithm. The company has also said that the system app is safe.