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Google Says Developer Verification Makes Android Safer. Critics Say It Just Makes Android More Closed

https://no.lastname.nz/post/2609568

Google Says Developer Verification Makes Android Safer. Critics Say It Just Makes Android More Closed - No Last Name Needed

>Amidst all the chaos in the world, some significant moves are being orchestrated that could potentially have detrimental effects on people’s privacy and right to choose. Google’s Developer Verification program falls under the latter. > >Starting September 2026 (in certain regions), any app installed on a certified Android device will need to come from a developer who has gone through Google’s new verification process. This applies regardless of where the app comes from: the Play Store, a third-party storefront, or a direct APK download. > >To get verified, developers must register through a dedicated Android Developer Console and provide their legal name, address, email address, and phone number. In some cases, they will also need to upload a government-issued ID.

Mar 16 at 6:49pmWeb
Show threadThrowawayOnLemmyMar 16
You can only be safe if you’re in our prison.
Show threadshortwavesurferMar 16

Thankfully, many of the apps I use every day have said that they will refuse to do this.

I am also now more seriously than ever looking into Linux phones such as PostmarketOS. Sure, for now, it’s going to be Google certified devices only. But what’s to keep Google from attempting to put this into AOSP in a couple of versions from now?

Show threadThomasWilliamsMar 17
Then those apps won’t work on any phone bought with Android installed and they will quickly disappear.
Show threadshortwavesurferMar 17
LineageOS without spy services, GrapheneOS, and all china
Show threadspaghettiwesternMar 16
Pure gaslighting by a multi-billion dollar company that’s responsible for distributing the vast majority of Android malware. If Google wanted to make Android safer they’d make a concerted effort to stop distributing malware through the Play store.
Show threadNarrativeBearMar 17
I will literally go back to a dumb flip-phone and definitely Linux phones are starting to look more appealing
Show threadtomenzggMar 17
Making phone calls with a GTK UI is a surreal experience in the best possible way.
Show threadikiddMar 17

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/…/viewform?pli=1

Android developer verification requirements survey ↗.

Android developer verification requirements

Use this form to submit questions or feedback about the new Android developer verification requirements announced in August 2025. You can learn more about the requirements in the Android developer verification guide. Sign up for early access here.

Google Docs