If this can happen, is it possible that once mandatory developer verification comes into effect, all 3rd party apps will be uninstalled at first and require a re-install?

Concerning this specific case, NFCGate is a tool on which malware (family) titled NGate by ESET is based, thus likely causing a false positive.

Oh, and no bypass is available anymore (aside from disabling play protect):

  • ɔiƚoxɘup@infosec.pubEnglish
    3·
    3 days ago

    Interesting. *#*#info#*#* didn’t do anything for me.

    Invalid mmi code

    Edit: I did however find it under settings, network,sims, and then when I selected my particular sims, it scrolled down a bit. I found that that was already disabled. It was labeled as 2G network protection.