Google is updating Android TVs to fix a big Gmail privacy problem
Illustration: Alex Castro / The Verge
Google is working on a fix to block crafty individuals from gaining access to the emails of accounts logged in to some Android TV units. The Android TV operating system, which is preloaded on many smart TVs on the market, could allow people with physical access to get into Gmail and other services associated with the owner’s account, as reported by 404 Media.
Since Android TV is just Android under the hood, it treats the owner’s Google account login as a persistent one, allowing them to automatically log in to allowed apps from the Play Store. Chrome is not allowed by Google to install on Android TV, but there’s a workaround that could get it installed, allowing easy access to Gmail, Drive, and other services — as demonstrated by…
