this post was submitted on 19 Mar 2026
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Lets be real though, currently they already have to blow through 4 other warnings about installing unsigned APK and enabled the browser or file manager to be able to install applications. It's almost certain if they are that far deep/commited, they are going to call the scammer back if the scammer left a number.
Yes this might allow for a time delay where the scammers number could be disabled if reported by enough people, or someone else to be like "yo this is a scam" if they mentioned it but, I don't think this is as secure as they are saying it will be. The target audience for this is very unlikely to be thwarted by a time delay. Plus, the scammer will make some excuse about how the warning is just a safety percaucion and doesn't need to be followed as this is a normal usage of the toggle, and then have them call back after the delay is done.
For clarification: the target audience doesn't know about the scam, and all they care about is that someone is seemingly willing to assist with an issue or problem they have. Said person knows the solution and they just have to wait for the timer to be done to be able to do said solution. They have no reason of telling others about it (unless they were complaining about googles time delay) as they already got someone who is seemingly able to assist.
Ask Other Linus how well that sort of thing ("Yes, do as I say!") works, LOL!
I agree with you that Google's anti-competitive time delay BS is likely to be ineffective for its claimed purpose, but frankly, I don't think any other reasonable (i.e. non-rights-infringing) strategies would be effective either. Honestly, there's a limit to how much effort you should go through to save idiots from themselves -- and how much annoyance you impose on everyone else in the process! -- and I think we've already hit it.
Sadly, there's truth in everything you say. Scammers are gonna be scammers, and they'll just find a new technique plus the long standing social engineering to continue their efforts to rip people off of whatever they can.
Still, it's something in the middleground, to help grandma be less likely to get scammed, while also giving power users an out and way to keep using their devices the way they want.
Yeah, this would be the most promising approach IMO. Whenever I was forced to write something, I did pay more attention to what that said than if I ticked a box next to it.
Maybe even have them write "I am not instructed to install this app by someone else. I am aware that following instructions to install an app this way often have fraudulent intentions".
(Also if the language was changed recently, it should ask to write it in all languages that were set within the last 14 days or so. Otherwise the scammer will have them switch the language so they don't understand what they're writing)