Google Play Store Apps to Come with DRM for Extra Protection

Conversations around digital rights management (DRM) more commonly revolve around major software products such as video games and entertainment properties. However, this extra protection will soon be applied to apps as well. Google just announced that the apps on its Play Store will soon come with DRM a la Valve’s Steam digital distribution platform.

In a recent blog post, Google explains why it decided to install DRM for the apps on its Play Store going forward. For the most part, it seems the goal is to ensure the authenticity of the source of the app. However, the new feature could also track users even if they are not connected to the internet.

“In the future, for apps obtained through Play-approved distribution channels, we'll be able to determine app authenticity while a device is offline, add those shared apps to a user's Play Library, and manage app updates when the device comes back online. This will give people more confidence when using Play-approved peer-to-peer sharing apps,” the post reads.

As Engadget notes, this is not necessarily a reason to panic. With so many examples of malicious manufacturers of apps taking advantage of vulnerable users, this could prove quite helpful.

For example, users can still make use of an app’s features even if their mobile internet connection isn’t that helpful. Downloading apps can also feel more reassuring when there’s a legitimate way of making sure that they came from the real source.

Then again, DRMs have been known to provide developers with a considerable level of control over the software. Updates could become an issue since developers could lock users in so that they can only use the most up-to-date versions of apps. Trying to remove adds by tinkering with an app can also be made more difficult if that app comes with a DRM to protect it.