Fortnite for Android Skips the Play Store, and that's a Huge Security Risk

Android gamers have been itching to get their hands on Fortnite ever since the game made the jump to iOS back in April. But the developer has now confirmed that to play it, they’ll have to go outside Google’s Play Store distribution service.

The potential for unclear guidelines and abuse is unlimited. Malware and spyware developers have been posting fake Android downloads for “Fortnite” for months, even advertising them on YouTube. They’re hoping that gamers will throw away caution in order to install an unverified program, and open up their phone to data harvesting, ransomware attacks, cryptocurrency mining, and other unsavoury practices.

The games developer Epic Games, has boasted of Android users’ “freedom to install the software they choose,” and cautioned them to download only from trusted sources. That’s sage advice, but it’s advice that they are making it harder to follow.

If you’re a gamer looking to get your battle royale on via Android, and especially if you’re a parent whose kids are obsessed with the game, take extra care to make sure you don’t become a victim of Epic Games’ short-sighted lack of concern.