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Android security 'shame list'

Google may name and shame makers of Android phones, slabs and gizmos that do not push out security patches fast enough to people, it's reported.

The ad giant is a bit cheesed-off that some manufacturers are being rather tardy in signing off and distributing patches for the lowest levels of its mobile operating system

Its Google Play services software can automatically apply fixes for various parts of the OS, thus bypassing the manufacturers, but it cannot reach every corner of every Android device – leaving things like the Stagefright hijacking bug lingering on potentially hundreds of millions of gadgets.

So Google has drawn up a list of hardware makers that aren't pulling their weight, and is considering making it public, apparently. According to Bloomberg:

It has drawn up lists that rank top phone makers by how up-to-date their handsets are, based on security patches and operating system versions, according to people familiar with the matter. Google shared this list with Android partners earlier this year. It has discussed making it public to highlight proactive manufacturers and shame tardy vendors through omission from the list.

Google declined to comment when El Reg asked for a copy of said naughty lists. ®

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