Ka LiMar 20
aryan
Alright, we have a confirmation about how sideloading things on android will work. I already boosted like 2 articles about this, and here is the official blog post from google.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/03/android-developer-verification.html
Android developer verification: Balancing openness and choice with safety

News and insights on the Android platform, developer tools, and events.

Android Developers Blog
Mar 19 at 6:04pmWeb
Show threadMostlyBlindGamerMar 19
@Aryan the argument for protecting regular users from scammers (and the wait period to enforce that) actually makes a lot of sense to me.
I’d find this totally manageable.
I’d prefer not to having to use developer mode, but I’ve always ended up turning that on anyway.
Show threadRiquiñez Mar 20
@Aryan BALANCING!? My internet payments authorization process has less steps and security...
Show threadMans RMar 20
@andrewblasco @Aryan The idea is to prevent people being coerced into installing malware by scammers (often posing as support calls). It probably works in this regard to whatever extent the scammers are unable to get their apps onto the Play store, which obviously isn't perfect. Nevertheless, as a one-time annoyance, it's something I can tolerate.
Show threadRiquiñez Mar 20
@mansr @Aryan I think with the 1 day delay is too much. With the settings workaround and the reboot seems enough for me to discourage any scammers...
Show threadMans RMar 20
@andrewblasco @Aryan A full day is perhaps a bit much, but I can see the benefit of making it at least an hour. To be properly effective, it needs to be long enough that the victim has to put being scammed on hold and do something else for a while. A lot of scams only work when the target is under pressure to act quickly.
Show threadRiquiñez Mar 20

@mansr @Aryan Yep, I understand the reason of that friction. That's why I think the reboot is enough, the scammer normally is calling you. If you reboot your phone, you hang out the call.

But yeah, I will concede with 1 hour, not 1 day

Show threadaryanMar 20
@andrewblasco @mansr or just disallow sideloading and remote access on any type of call?
Show threadaryanMar 20
@andrewblasco @mansr O yeah but it can be an issue if you are takeing help from a friend for something you want to install. but whatever it seems a pritty nice option if considered.
Show threadjandiMar 20
@mansr @andrewblasco @Aryan The restrictions for users are not the main problem, it's the "Android developer verification" shit. That's what's going to snowball, in my opinion. Ask @IzzyOnDroid or @SylvieLorxu or @apps or any FOSS dev.
Show threadSylviaMar 20

@jandi @mansr @andrewblasco @Aryan @IzzyOnDroid @apps Luckily Google would never block apps that protect people and tell an authoritarian government who created the app. So I am sure giving Google a link between app and dev is safe /sarcasm

https://www.theverge.com/news/791533/google-apple-ice-tracking-app-store-red-dot-iceblock

Google removes ICE-spotting app following Apple’s ICEBlock crackdown

Google has removed Red Dot, an app people could use to report ICE sightings from Google Play, one day after Apple removed similar apps, including Red Dot and ICEBlock.

The Verge
Show threadMans RMar 20
@jandi @andrewblasco @Aryan @IzzyOnDroid @SylvieLorxu @apps If nothing else, it will make compromised developer accounts valuable on the black market.
Show threadSylviaMar 20
@mansr @jandi @andrewblasco @Aryan @IzzyOnDroid @apps Oh they already are, I get pretty much daily scam mails of people trying to buy my dev account or pay me to "publish their app" :(