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YouTube works through different client apps for users but can it be safe to use instead of the original version?
SmartTube is the YouTube client that runs on Android TV. (Photo: AI generated)
YouTube is extremely popular so it is hardly surprising to have a copycat or client apps that do a really good job. But when one of these apps ends up distributing malware the security risks once again raise the subject of sideloading apps and how to carefully install the right version. Google is trying its best to stop the malware problem on Android across platforms but when third-party developers end up being the culprit there is very little the tech giant can actually do to protect its users.
SmartTube is the YouTube client available on Android TV as well as Fire TV devices and the latest admission from the developer tells you why Google is looking to end these apps once and for all.
SmartTube Malware Issue: What The Company Said
The developer behind the app has admitted the malware infection and has been quoted in an interview giving the details and exact source of this intrusion. The company claims the malware was infected through the computer which was actually used to build the official Android app kit for SmartTube app. So the developer was not aware of the risks initially and it has been unsure about the versions that were actually part of the affected list.
The good news is that the app doesn’t seek a lot of your data or permission so any possible exploit will be limited. But the last thing you want is a rogue app giving the control of your TV to someone from a remote location.
The company assures that it has stopped using the computer affected by the malware and released a new version of SmartTube for users. However, all this could not stop Google from blocking access to the app on the Play Store, which seems to have got the developer to act on the reasons for removing its app.
Like we said, Google is serious about tackling the malware issue and acting on this app shows it is doing some work. But on the whole, the Android malware problem needs a better solution and hopefully we’ll see the tools being handed down to make the software safer for users.
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. December 05, 2025, 13:53 IST
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