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
@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.
@SylvieLorxu @leekhemrinn You are right. However, the devs publishig on f-droid don't usually target (only) Google certified devices. I didn't want to downplay the issues here, but wanted to focus on the perspective on devs that want to target alternative stores.
Of course there is the risk that even less users may install apps from third party stores, if they see a warning.
So, to be clear, dev verification is a serious issue.
Nihil
Winterstar
Sylvia