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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 7): Some industry commentators argue that 08 Jul 2025, 20:17
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Bunuel
Some industry commentators argue that the recent surge in malicious mobile apps found on independent app marketplaces is the result of new restrictions imposed by the major app-store platforms. Yet none of the developers removed from the major platforms, the commentators’ alleged culprits, has released a new app on those alternative marketplaces.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument made in the editorial?

(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers.

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do.

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks.

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another.

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes.


 


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As per the analysis

The surge in malicious apps on independent marketplaces is due to new restrictions by major app stores.

Editorial point :

But the developers removed from the major app stores (i.e., the alleged culprits) have not released any new apps on the independent marketplaces.

MP of the editor : If the banned developers aren’t releasing new apps on alternative platforms, the restrictions couldn’t be the cause of the surge.

We need to look for the reason how the restrictions contributed the surge by bypassing the blocked users.

POE
(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers. Hmm, But this doesn't attack the argument strigh. Let's keep it on hold.

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do. Irrelavant

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks. Hmm, So this surge might not be through the blocked developers. These changes made others move, hence the surge. Directly addresses the core issue.

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another. Irrelavant

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes. Irrelavant

Between A & C, C provides straightforward weakening explanation. Hence IMO C
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 7): Some industry commentators argue that 08 Jul 2025, 20:34
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Industry commentators : rise of malicious apps is the result of restrictions by app stores.

Editorial: Removed developers have not released app on independent app marketplaces.

Clearly on pre thinking we can see that though the removed developers might not have released the apps on alternative marketplaces but the code/idea/concept/working of the malicious app might be copied by some other developer and he might have released it on the alternate App Store.

Lets check the answer choices:

A: correct. same as our pre thinking
B: this does not weaken the editorial argument as it has not covered the argument completely
C: this gives reason for the rise of malicious apps but does not connect with the editorial argument
D: this strengthens the industry commentators argument that app stores are responsible for rise of malicious apps
E: Out of context
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 7): Some industry commentators argue that 08 Jul 2025, 21:57
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B is the most appropriate response as the argument is that the culprits have release a new app on alternate marketplaces. B says that marketplaces have few resources to remove the apps. So it is a possiblity that the apps were earlier uploaded and now people are seeing them. If C is the condition then it will support the argument about developers shifting to these options. A does not connect with the pargraph. D says that the app stores did not coordinate their policies but it will not undermine the fact about the apps. E says about people moving to official app stores is not related in any way.
Bunuel
Some industry commentators argue that the recent surge in malicious mobile apps found on independent app marketplaces is the result of new restrictions imposed by the major app-store platforms. Yet none of the developers removed from the major platforms, the commentators’ alleged culprits, has released a new app on those alternative marketplaces.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument made in the editorial?

(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers.

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do.

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks.

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another.

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 7): Some industry commentators argue that 08 Jul 2025, 22:27
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Some industry commentators argue that the recent surge in malicious mobile apps found on independent app marketplaces is the result of new restrictions imposed by the major app-store platforms. Yet none of the developers removed from the major platforms, the commentators’ alleged culprits, has released a new app on those alternative marketplaces.

The passage argues that the recent restrictions in major app platforms have led to increased malicious apps in independent platforms. Howvever the developers have not been removed from the major platforms but new apps have been released on the alternative platforms.
Clearly passage argues that recent restictions have led to surge in alicious apps on independent paltforms



Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument made in the editorial?
We need statement which expalins that recent restrictions are not the reason for these changes.

(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers.
It explains that even if the developers have not been removed by major platforms but unrelated developers have created similar apps on independent platforms and due to removal of apps those apps have been created on the indenpendent apps. But the underlying reason remains the same that recent restictions is the reason. Eliminate
(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do.
This option points out that the independent marketplaces have less resources and have issues present from long it's not that which has happened with recnt restictions. Lets keep this option
(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks.
This strengthens the argument as recent restrictions are the reasons for new developers to make apps with fewer compliance checks. Eliminate
(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another.
Irrelevant what does policy coordination will bringfor independent platforms. Eliminate
(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes.
Factual information. Eliminate
Correct answer is B.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 7): Some industry commentators argue that 08 Jul 2025, 22:59
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(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers.
> wrong; did not talk about actions of the affected devs.

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do.
> wrong; still did state anything on the devs.

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks.
> contender: there are new groups releasing apps, may be the case that the affected devs are part of them.

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another.
> wrong; even if they did not coordinate policy change, they can still introduce restrictions suited to their own needs.

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes.
> wrong; does not relate to affected devs.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 7): Some industry commentators argue that 08 Jul 2025, 22:59
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Argument: Claim (by commentators): The recent surge in malicious mobile apps on independent marketplaces is due to new restrictions by major app stores.
Counter-evidence (in the editorial): None of the developers removed from major platforms have released new apps on those alternative marketplaces.
Implied Conclusion (of the editorial): Therefore, the commentators' argument is likely false; the developers removed from major platforms are not the cause of the surge in malicious apps on independent marketplaces.

I did some thinking and what if the removed developers changed their names or identity on the new platforms? Or what if they already had apps there and started making them malicious?

Looking at the options only C makes sense... It provides a direct causal link that supports the commentators' original argument, despite the editorial's specific piece of counter-evidence. The "new developer groups" are the agents through which the "new restrictions" could still lead to the "surge in malicious apps" on independent marketplaces.
(A) - its a mild weakener but C is better (I was confused between A and C)
(B) so what? the argument is different
(D) and (E) - irrelevant
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 7): Some industry commentators argue that 08 Jul 2025, 23:07
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(A) Correct:
Malicious apps imitate those removed, even though different developers uploaded them.

Suggests the policy change indirectly caused the surge → strongly weakens the editorial.

(B)

Independent stores are worse at removing malicious apps.

Explains persistence, not the cause of the surge → doesn’t weaken the editorial.

(C)

New groups entered the scene after the policy change.

Doesn’t show these apps are malicious or resemble removed ones → too vague.

(D)

Platforms didn’t coordinate policy changes.

This is irrelevant to the cause of malicious app growth on alternative stores.

(E)

Some users still prefer official platforms.

User preference doesn’t affect whether the policy change led to malicious app growth.

Answer: A.
It directly challenges the editorial’s logic by showing that malicious activity increased in response to the platform restrictions — just not by the same developers.
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A) This weakens the argument, as the new unrelated developers jumped on the demand for the legitimate apps that were removed, and made malicious apps resembling those.
B) This supports the argument made in the editorial by giving a reason different than the new restrictions by major app-store platforms. Eliminate.
C) This could have just coincidentally been after the policy changes, these developer groups might have already planned on targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks. Eliminate.
D) This does not affect the argument. Eliminate.
E) This does not affect the argument. Eliminate.

Option A
Bunuel
Some industry commentators argue that the recent surge in malicious mobile apps found on independent app marketplaces is the result of new restrictions imposed by the major app-store platforms. Yet none of the developers removed from the major platforms, the commentators’ alleged culprits, has released a new app on those alternative marketplaces.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument made in the editorial?

(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers.

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do.

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks.

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another.

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 7): Some industry commentators argue that 08 Jul 2025, 23:20
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Bunuel
Some industry commentators argue that the recent surge in malicious mobile apps found on independent app marketplaces is the result of new restrictions imposed by the major app-store platforms. Yet none of the developers removed from the major platforms, the commentators’ alleged culprits, has released a new app on those alternative marketplaces.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument made in the editorial?

(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers.

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do.

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks.

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another.

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes.


 


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Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument made in the editorial?

(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers.
This counters the argument logic, providing new info to show that " the recent surge in malicious mobile apps found on independent app marketplaces is the result of new restrictions imposed by the major app-store platforms". It is the right answer

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do.
Irrelevant to the argument

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks.
Good info but doesn't help weaken

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another.
Irrelevant to the argument

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes.
Irrelevant to the argument
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 7): Some industry commentators argue that 09 Jul 2025, 00:42
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As per paragraph,
In exchange, the company requests a share of the bonuses, arguing that the regional government would greatly profit from the substantial increase in shipment volume.

We need to look for the statement in the options that must be true for the company’s argument to hold,
“Specially the idea that routing shipments through the region, even if not delivered to it, will increase the bonuses given to the region.”


(A) Without the proposed hub, most shipments would bypass the remote region entirely.
- Irrelevant

(B) The federal government awards bonuses based on total shipment volume passing through a region, not just on shipments delivered locally.
- This is exactly what we are looking for.
If the federal government doesn’t award the bonus based on total shipment volume passing through a region, only for shipment that is delivered locally, then, the company’s argument to increase the bonuses will not be true.

(C) The regional government would only share bonuses if the new hub directly benefited local businesses.
- Out of scope
How bonuses are shared is irrelevant.

(D) Routing shipments through the new hub would not make delivery times longer than shipping via current routes.
- Irrelevant.
How the plan is being implemented or its efficiency doesn’t have to be true to hold the company’s logic to increase the bonuses.

(E) Businesses in the remote region currently account for a small proportion of the shipping company’s national shipments.
- Irrelevant
The past traffic/ shipment volume has no impact on the future plan to route the traffic.


Ans: B


Bunuel
Some industry commentators argue that the recent surge in malicious mobile apps found on independent app marketplaces is the result of new restrictions imposed by the major app-store platforms. Yet none of the developers removed from the major platforms, the commentators’ alleged culprits, has released a new app on those alternative marketplaces.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument made in the editorial?

(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers.

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do.

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks.

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another.

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes.


 


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(A) This brings in the case of replication of legitimate apps by developers unrelated to original app creators. This could mean that malicious apps may not be a effect of new restriction by because of replicating apps by different set of developers. Correct

(B) It just adds background of the independent marketplaces. Not addressing the current scenario. Eliminate

(C) This supports the editorial argument in an indirect manner, that the recent surge is because of policy changes but fails to find the link of old developers with this surge. Eliminate

(D) Interaction between different major app-store platforms is irrelevant to this argument. Eliminate

(E) This tells about the user behavior which does not concern this argument topic. Eliminate

Answer: A
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Between A & C, A is within the scope of the argument and a correct weakner.

A
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Bunuel
Some industry commentators argue that the recent surge in malicious mobile apps found on independent app marketplaces is the result of new restrictions imposed by the major app-store platforms. Yet none of the developers removed from the major platforms, the commentators’ alleged culprits, has released a new app on those alternative marketplaces.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument made in the editorial?

(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers.

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do.

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks.

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another.

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes.


 


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(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers.
--> Unrelated developers make this irrelevant

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do.
--> Volume of scanned apps is not relevant

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks.
--> Correct. New developer groups used the same strategy to target new, less regulated, platforms to register Apps that would be categorized malicious on major platforms

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another.
Irrelevant

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes.
User preference is irrelevant

Option C
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A. The argument says, that the surge in malicious mobile apps is the result of new restrictions imposed, still those alleged culprits werent removed, and therefore they have released a new app on alternative marketplaces. We need to weaken this aspect. Moving on to the options provided, A fits quite well,as compared to the other answer choices, indicating that those malicious apps resembled some other apps, which are offered by some unrelated developers. So, maybe, here too, its those Unrelated developers, who released these apps, and not the alleged culprits.
Bunuel
Some industry commentators argue that the recent surge in malicious mobile apps found on independent app marketplaces is the result of new restrictions imposed by the major app-store platforms. Yet none of the developers removed from the major platforms, the commentators’ alleged culprits, has released a new app on those alternative marketplaces.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument made in the editorial?

(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers.

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do.

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks.

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another.

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes.


 


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Some industry commentators argue that the recent surge in malicious mobile apps found on independent app marketplaces is the result of new restrictions imposed by the major app-store platforms.
Yet none of the developers removed from the major platforms, the commentators’ alleged culprits, has released a new app on those alternative marketplaces.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument made in the editorial?

(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers.
Somewhat weakens the editorial reasoning that unrelated developers offer resembling apps removed from major platforms. But legitimate apps are mentioned and not malicious apps.
Incorrect

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do.
This is an additional information and does not affect the editorial reasoning.
Incorrect

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks.
Inspite the restriction imposed, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks defeating the purposes of the restrictions. This weaken's the editorial reasoning that restrictions were effective.
Correct

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another.
This is an additional information and does not weaken the editorial's reasoning.
Incorrect

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes.
This is again users preference and does not weaken the editorial's reasoning.
Incorrect

IMO C
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 7): Some industry commentators argue that 09 Jul 2025, 06:06
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(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers. Correctly addresses the issue without implicating the flagged developers

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do. Incorrect because it does not address the issue which is the rise in malicious apps

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks. Could be an answer but began targeting is not the same as actually doing it so weak weakener

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another. Unnecessary and unhelpful information

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes. Irrelevant
ANS A

Bunuel
Some industry commentators argue that the recent surge in malicious mobile apps found on independent app marketplaces is the result of new restrictions imposed by the major app-store platforms. Yet none of the developers removed from the major platforms, the commentators’ alleged culprits, has released a new app on those alternative marketplaces.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument made in the editorial?

(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers.

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do.

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks.

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another.

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes.


 


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Elite097
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 7): Some industry commentators argue that 09 Jul 2025, 06:45
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A gives a weakener by stating that surge is linked to policy changes due to other developers starting malicious apps
B only gives a reason for increase in apps but no link to policy change
C talks about new developers not the removed developers
D app stores didn't coordintade policy changes is irrelevant to question about surge in malicious developers
E User preference is irrelevant

Ans A
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 7): Some industry commentators argue that 09 Jul 2025, 06:54
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This question was a bit confusing to understand.
Option A gives a possible explanation for the surge in malicious mobile apps found on independent app marketplaces despite the fact that none of the developers removed from the major platforms, the commentators’ alleged culprits, has released a new app on those alternative marketplaces.

Hence, option A.
Bunuel
Some industry commentators argue that the recent surge in malicious mobile apps found on independent app marketplaces is the result of new restrictions imposed by the major app-store platforms. Yet none of the developers removed from the major platforms, the commentators’ alleged culprits, has released a new app on those alternative marketplaces.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument made in the editorial?

(A) Many of the malicious apps found on independent marketplaces resemble legitimate apps removed from major platforms and are offered by unrelated developers.

(B) Historically, the independent marketplaces have had far fewer resources to detect and remove malicious apps than major app-store platforms do.

(C) Shortly after the policy changes were announced, several new developer groups began targeting independent marketplaces to distribute apps with fewer compliance checks.

(D) The major app-store platforms did not coordinate their policy changes with one another.

(E) Some users continue to prefer downloading apps through official app stores, even after the policy changes.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 7): Some industry commentators argue that 09 Jul 2025, 06:57
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The editorial argues that the surge in malicious mobile apps on independent marketplaces cannot be attributed to new restrictions imposed by major app store platforms because none of the developers removed from those platforms has released new apps on the alternative marketplaces.

To weaken this argument, we need evidence that the restrictions could still be the cause of the surge, even without direct involvement from the removed developers.

Assess each option:
A does suggest a mild weakener but is not directly linking the timing of surge with the timing of policy changes. Eliminate
B is unrelated to the recent surge of malicious apps or impact of new restrictions. Eliminate
C gives an alternate explanation for the surge and also links the timing of policy changes. Keep.
D is irrelevant because it doesn't talk about the surge at all. Eliminate.
E is irrelevant because it talks about users and not the surge. Eliminate.

Answer : C
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