Nihil

Google just announced a "Developer Verification" program for Android. Sounds harmless. It's not.

Starting September 2026:
• All developers must register with Google
• Must pay fees
• Must submit government ID
• Must surrender signing keys
• Unregistered apps won't install — even via sideloading

This turns Android into a closed platform identical to iOS.

More info: keepandroidopen.org

#KeepAndroidOpen #DMA #Android #DigitalRights #FreeSoftware #OpenSource

Jun 7 at 7:27amWeb
Show threadSomeAnoTooter21h ago
@leekhemrinn but isn't that a lot of false claims? I just have to opt out of this nonsense once, wait an annoying long time but than I never care about it again, or? Not saying that this will get worse and Google also might misuse it, but for now it's not that doomerish?
Show threadWinterstar20h ago
@leekhemrinn As a developer I don't have to do any of these things, I just publish on #f-droid and #IzzyOnDroid
Show threadSylvia19h ago

@Winterstar @leekhemrinn These Google restrictions are for any Google-certified device (aka: anything you buy in a store), even when installing apps from outside the Google Play store. Non-verified devs will be blocked by default, even outside Google Play.

Yes, Google is pushing their verification on devs who don't publish on Google Play and blocking users from installing apps from them by default.