BallisticPunk4d ago

In August 2025, 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

#boycotgoogle #google #facism

Show threadBallisticPunk
You, the consumer, purchased your Android device believing in Google’s promise that it was an open computing platform and that you could run whatever software you choose on it. Instead, as of September 2026, they will be non-consensually pushing an update to your operating system that irrevocably blocks this right and leaves you at the mercy of their judgement over what software you are permitted to trust. #anticonsumer #stupidity #EatTheRich
Mar 18 at 9:21pmMastodon for Android
Show threadBallisticPunk4d ago
You, the state, are ceding the rights of your citizens and your own digital sovereignty to a company with a track record of complying with the extrajudicial demands of authoritarian regimes to remove perfectly legal apps that they happen to dislike. The software that is critical to the running of your businesses and governments will be at the mercy of the opaque whims of a distant and unaccountable corporation. #facistamerica #FacistRegime #amerikkkathecrap
Show threadBallisticPunk4d ago
Discourage fellow app developers and organizations from signing up to the program. Use community forums, social media, and blog posts to spread the message. Include the FreeDroidWarn library ↗ in your code to inform your app users. If you manage a web site, consider adding the countdown banner to the top of your page. #boycottgoogle #fuckgoogleanything #letsdestroythecompany
Show threadBallisticPunk4d ago
If you are a Google employee or contractor of good conscience and have additional insight about the program, including planned technical implementation details or additional rationales for the program, please reach out to [email protected] from a non-work machine and a non-gmail account. Your information will be kept in strict confidence. #googleplay #googleplayservices
Show threadBallisticPunk4d ago

Install F-Droid ↗ on your Android device(s). The more people that use alternative app marketplaces, the harder it will be to shut them out.

Provide feedback directly to Google using their Android developer verification requirements survey ↗.

Make your voice heard on social media and with blog posts, and link to https://keepandroidopen.org ↗

Keep Android Open

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