Jan SchaumannMay 21

Now what the fresh fuck is this, then?

Not today, Satan.

Carbon CarrotMay 21
Show threadJan Schaumann

Now this is some bullshit.

Today: Don't have an "approved" phone? Too bad for you.
Tomorrow: Don't have a Google account? Good bye.

Another nail in the coffin of the Open Web. Those fuckers.

https://thecodersblog.com/google-breaks-recaptcha-for-de-googled-android-users-2026/

https://cybernews.com/privacy/google-qr-code-recaptcha-requires-approved-phone/

Google's reCAPTCHA Fails De-Googled Android Users, Impacting Privacy | The Coders Blog | Home

Google's reCAPTCHA service is reportedly broken for users on de-Googled Android devices, raising accessibility and privacy concerns.

The Coders Blog | Home
May 21 at 3:02amWeb
Show threadRobJEMay 21

@jschauma
there is more

https://keepandroidopen.org/

#keepandroidopen

Keep Android Open

Your phone is about to stop being yours. In September 2026, Google will block every Android app whose developer hasn't registered with them.

Show threadLeelooMay 21

@jschauma
Tomorrow?

The last couple of days, Youtube has been telling me to log in.

I don't have a Google account. How do I log in?

Show threadHadewych 🇳🇱 🇪🇺 🏳️‍🌈May 21
@leeloo @jschauma I'm throwing away my perfectly fine Fitbit watch as it can now only be used if you connect to Google
Show threadHelgaMay 21
@Hadewych @leeloo @jschauma that annoyed me so much. I miss my fitbit and the heart rate monitors on the elliptical at my cheapass gym don't work.
Show threadMarion GrauMay 23
@Hadewych @leeloo @jschauma glad I sold mine just a few weeks ago, without knowing this would happen. what did it for me was listening to Zuboff's Surveillance Capitalism...
Show threadzetabetaMay 21

@leeloo @jschauma
this might help:
https://docs.invidious.io/instances/

you may also use "yt-dlp" program in some cases.

Invidious Instances - Invidious Documentation

The official Invidious documentation

Show threadMatt HallMay 21

@zetabeta

Hat-tip to the folks who make `yt-dlp`. 🎩

@leeloo @jschauma

Show threadLeelooMay 21
@401matthall @zetabeta @jschauma
Sure, but neither browser, yt-dlp nor NewPipe works for me the last couple of days.
Show threadMatt HallMay 21

@leeloo

Now that's heartbreaking to hear.

@zetabeta @jschauma

Show threadLeelooMay 21

@401matthall @zetabeta @jschauma
I expect yt-dlp will get an update in a couple of days that makes it work again, then NewPipe will follow a week later.

Youtube hasn't worked in my browser for a long time, and I suspect it's some setting I changed, I just haven't been able to figure out which one. But a couple of days ago, it changed from showing a black video to telling me to log in.

Show threadaspiring retireeMay 21

@leeloo @401matthall @zetabeta @jschauma

mysteriously, pipepipe seems to work

https://f-droid.org/packages/InfinityLoop1309.NewPipeEnhanced

PipePipe | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

A FLOSS Android app to let you browse YouTube, NicoNico and BiliBili freely.

Show threadFlipper 🐬🏳️‍🌈🌹May 21
@roy_calum @leeloo @401matthall @zetabeta @jschauma FreeTube has stopped working unless you have the direct link. I also have to currently VPN in from South America to avoid the IP blocking.
Show threadaspiring retireeMay 22

@flipper @leeloo @401matthall @zetabeta @jschauma

upon further testing pipepipe seems intermittently broken
videos play only with repeated selection and other functions error outright

Show threadKinene⭐🐻May 21
@leeloo @401matthall @zetabeta @jschauma Ah, I was having problems with NewPipe as well. I figured Google was messing around with something. However, I was able to access YT via Firefox and DuckDuckGo browsers.
Show threadGanondalfMay 21

@jschauma

The open web is fine. None of our sites have this shit on them. If they want to split the web into hell/pleasant, we know where Pleasantville is.

_stretches out_

Show threadCarbon CarrotMay 21
@jschauma as an ubuntutouchian this affects me
Show threadtkissingMay 21
@jschauma I was configuring some stuff on a new Bazzite installation yesterday. LibreWolf was unable to access any *overflow site. At first I was annoyed, but after half a dozen failed page loads I just started ignoring those search results. Maybe figuring out my specific situations from the Bazzite, Fedora and Arch Wikis took a bit longer, but I probably learned more too.
Show threadslashMay 22

@jschauma @mms The only thing that will make them change this is if the sites experience a measurable decrease in visits.

Considering how few people use alternatives to Google, that's probably not going to do it.

I never trusted Google when they said, "Android is FOSS. You can fork it and use it however you like." When they sold the first "Google Phone", I bought one. Then found I couldn't make phone calls without a Google Account. I refused, and installed the Jezus Freke ROM.