Say GoodBye To Some Future Root Methods!

[DroidModderX]

Google is launching an Android Security Rewards Program. Security experts are the guys who bring us unlocked bootloaders and root methods. Mostly this is due to the fact that they contact OEMs with security holes in their Android builds and don't hear back, so they take to forums with root methods which force OEMs to take action. Pretty soon you see over the air updates which patch up all the holes. This is normally a win win for everyone. We get our root methods and Android builds get all patched up and become more secure.

Google's new program will encourage security experts to release these exploits and holes directly to Google. There won't be a good reason for a security expert to release a root method to the masses. This program will only effect the latest version of Android available for Nexus phones and tablets.

There will be monetary rewards which will vary depending on the severity of the exploit. Moderate severity bugs will net you $500 while Critical bugs will net you $2000. There are multipliers for work done in the form of test code fixes. You can earn up to $8,000. There are rewards for super complex fixes of up to $30,000.

via Google.com

 

[xsylus]

While I'm all for plugging security hole I'm also a firm believer that I should be allowed to root my own devices. If there were a more direct way of giving owners the option to root or not to root then plugging security holes wouldn't be so much of a tug-a-war.

 

[Powarun]

While I agree allowing root should be allowed, I think I'd prefer some OEM's locking down their phones and some not.
Samsung and Sony come to mind about locking it down.
HTC, Motorola, and LG not so much.

 

[kinfolk248]

While I agree allowing root should be allowed, I think I'd prefer some OEM's locking down their phones and some not.
Samsung and Sony come to mind about locking it down.
HTC, Motorola, and LG not so much.

wait lol, come on dude dont ride the fence...

 

[Powarun]

I can't see Samsung or Sony allowing root. Its like asking Verizon and ATT to allow net neutrality. As far as other OEM's are going, I think it would benefit them, HTC made Google developer phones, Motorola was actually bought by Google and resold, and LG could learn from the Nexus line. Those three major OEM's seem to want and benefit from allowing root access to find flaws and feedback on their devices. Samsung seems to big to allow it and would rather go internal to find security flaws, and Sony has too much proprietary assets trying to work with the playstation branch to allow Root.

 

[SquireSCA]

So how would this impact Nexus devices? One of the main reasons to get a Nexus device is the easy root and bootloader unlocks...

 

[Narsil]

I simply CANNOT fathom this idea that having root access to your device should even be an option that is open to discussion.

Who in their right mind would purchase a PC with no admin rights to the system?? I can't even understand why someone would want to be locked out of admin rights on their own property.

I'm not someone who is easily offended but I am absolutely offended by the idea that I own a piece of electronics and have no admin rights (or root access in this instance) on that device and may never even be able to get those rights (Verizon Note 4).

 

[SquireSCA]

I simply CANNOT fathom this idea that having root access to your device should even be an option that is open to discussion.

Who in their right mind would purchase a PC with no admin rights to the system?? I can't even understand why someone would want to be locked out of admin rights on their own property.

I'm not someone who is easily offended but I am absolutely offended by the idea that I own a piece of electronics and have no admin rights (or root access in this instance) on that device and may never even be able to get those rights (Verizon Note 4).

Welcome to the new nanny state! Let the government and corporations decide what you want, for you.

 

[Narsil]

Welcome to the new nanny state! Let the government and corporations decide what you want, for you.

I'm not saying we should make stupidity illegal, but how about we simply remove the warning labels from everything and let nature sort it all out?

 

[akhenax]

NO ROOT FOR YOU !!!

 

[tech_head]

So how would this impact Nexus devices? One of the main reasons to get a Nexus device is the easy root and bootloader unlocks...

It will patch exploits, but Nexus devices don't need root methods.
You unlock the bootloader and flash what you want.

 

[pc747]

I would panic except I remember a year ago we had this same concern about lollipop not being able to be rooted unless you unlock the bootloader and our anger on googles stance with root. Here we are with root and roms galore and the s6 and s6 edge on lollipop with root.

 

[Mustang02]

They should fix the holes but give users the option of unlocking their bootloaders so we can obtain root.

 

[kodiak799]

I'm actually pretty happy with kitkat....I have almost no need for root, nor do over 95% of users. Glad I no longer waste time tinkering with flashing.

 

[akhenax]

I no longer waste time with flashing because of Xposed. If I can run stock, with Xposed, then there is no need, for me, to flash a custom ROM.