jbzFeb 20

Google announced that as of September 2026, it will no longer be possible to develop apps for the Android platform without first registering centrally with Google. This registration will involve:

- Paying a fee to Google
- Agreeing to Google’s Terms and Conditions
- Providing government identification
- Uploading evidence of the developer’s private signing key
- Listing all current and future application identifiers

https://keepandroidopen.org/

#android #opensource #keepandroidopen

Keep Android Open

Advocating for Android as a free, open platform for everyone to build apps on.

Show threadliaFeb 21
@jbz Is this just Play Store related and can people just continue to develop for F-Droid?
Show threadFelixFeb 21

@lianna @jbz

No, this is android-related.

Google will likely check the app-signature itself, and reject the installation of non-registered apps, regardless of source.

So sideloading itself will be prevented in it's entirety.

Show threadalways tired

@newhinton @lianna @jbz

What's the opinion of the EU about this? IIRC they ruled that Apple has to permit apps from sources outside their monopoly app store?

Feb 22 at 12:37amWeb
Show threadFelixFeb 22

@project1enigma @lianna @jbz

I don't know.

I hope they will see how google is just laughing at them now with such rules and take appropriate measures, but it seems this topic doesn't really get the noise it deserves.

Show threadRadomír ŽemličkaFeb 22

@project1enigma That's the problem. They allow you to do it but they still charge you their developer/platform fee. So Google is trying to pull off the exact same bullshit.

@newhinton @lianna @jbz