(From Threads)
Not sure where #Google asked for feedback about their developer verification program, but they surely didn't talk with #FLOSS devs, civil society, privacy organisations or their #Android users
#FDroid did since September, and interacted with folks in the Fediverse, forum, email and in person
They all voiced one opinion: "developer verification must be stopped"
@marcprux has written an open letter, signed by likeminded organisations who want to #keepandroidopen
Click: https://f-droid.org/2026/02/24/open-letter-opposing-developer-verification.html
RE: https://floss.social/@fdroidorg/116086115016017602
‼️ This is sadly very important ‼️
Please share and be aware of that – in the worst case – you will NO LONGER be able to install apps from individuals/organizations like @fdroidorg f-droid if they are not an Google-approved publisher/developer!
Also sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/stop-google-from-limiting-apk-file-usage
‼️ This could already happen this year in Sept. 2026 ‼️
The #FDroid website has a new banner on top to remind visitors that #Google did not change course and #Android will be locked-down in under 200 days.
If you care about the freedom to control your devices and care about the privacy of you data, please contact your representative and make your voice heard.
https://keepandroidopen.org/ (thanks @marcprux) has the resources to guide you.
We know users will rarely visit the site so the Client(s) will get a banner soon too.
Thank you for your support!
Here's a reason to celebrate this weekend: we are now more than 4 million Vivaldi users worldwide
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🙏 Thanks to the European Open Source Academy for publishing the interview with our CEO @gael on fighting for our right to digital freedom!
Find out more about his challenges and why you should care about digital sovereignty.
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