Big Tech is at it again.

Some of you might have seen this already. Google has announced a new policy for Android app developers, which would require them to seek Google’s permission if they want to distribute their apps outside of the Google Play Store (on their own website or on alternative app stores). This would entail:

1) agreeing to their terms and conditions
2) paying a fee
3) uploading a government ID

Which is wrong on so many levels. Nobody should be forced to register with Google if they don’t want to use their services.

In doing so they would be extending their gatekeeping (tentacles) into distribution channels where they’re just not a legitimate authority.

At Vivaldi, we believe you have the right to run whatever software you want on a device you own. That’s why we’ve co-signed this open letter, together with other 53 organisations, requesting Google to back off on the proposed policy before it enters into force.

(Plus, they have have a pretty cool logo 😄)

https://keepandroidopen.org/open-letter/

RE: https://social.vivaldi.net/@brucelawson/116170920754461267

Norwegian humour at its finest 👇

The anti-Big-Tech movement isn't a trend, it's a correction. Our societies spent 20 years accepting surveillance capitalism as normal. And now, we're slowly remembering we have choices.

Sure, switching browsers is a small thing. But small rebellions are how everything big begins, or so we like to believe. 🤞

If you think about those around you, have you noticed an increased awareness lately about what's behind the tech they use?

#ethics #BigTech #browser