Android was not designed to be safe, it was designed to be open.
That was the startlingly blunt answer Google's head of Android, Sundar Pichai, gave when asked about the prevalence of malware on Android during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week.
"“android-smartphone-market"" is not a valid see-also reference
The Google executive went on to say if he was in the business of creating malware, he would likely target Android as well, reported French Android blog, FrAndroid.
"We cannot guarantee that Android is designed to be safe, the format was designed to give more freedom. When people talk about 90% of malware for Android, they must of course take into account the fact that it is the most popular operating system in the world. If I had a company dedicated to malware, I would also be addressing my attacks on Android … "
Android may be the most popular smartphone platform worldwide but the prevalence of unregulated third-party app stores means malware continues to be an issue, particularly in Asia and Russia where those types of app stores are most popular.
Pichai also spoke about Google's relationship with Samsung, Nokia's X line of handsets, the upcoming Galaxy S6 and hinted at a potential launch date for the Nexus 6 (second half of 2014).
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