Question Casino Apps have shown up on my Pixel - ARGH!

[bardiferous]

This weekend, I found a Casino app (forgot exactly what the name was) on my phone that I did not request.

Today, I see Lightning Link (from the initial screen, it's also a casino app) as well. I only use apps that either came with the phone or come from the Play Store. I guess I need to report this somehow? Any one know how these apps just showed up?

Help!

 

[B. Diddy]

Which phone do you have, and what carrier is it on?

 

[bardiferous]

That would matter? Pixel 7a and Consumer Cellular.

 

[B. Diddy]

That would matter? Pixel 7a and Consumer Cellular.

It can in some situations. Phones sold by the big carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile can come with preinstalled apps that "conveniently" offer the user the ability to automatically install a selection of apps the carrier "thinks" you'd like (in other words, it's bloatware they get paid for). But as far as I know, Consumer Cellular doesn't do this.

It's possible that some app you installed might be able to install another app on its own, but I'm not sure if current Android security protocols should be able to prevent this. If you uninstall this app, does it come back eventually?

Among the other 3rd party apps you installed, are any of them gallery apps, file explorers, flashlight apps, music/movie downloaders, or gambling apps? These are some of the categories where it's more likely to find apps with shady practices.

 

[mustang7757]

Sometimes carrier devices add bloat like this , Att is on if the notorious ones

 

[Golfdriver97]

That would matter?

For the longest time, a lot of carrier-branded phones had auto downloads for trash apps like that. Not saying that's the case here, but probably why B. Diddy asked.