Ваш тэлефон хутка перастане быць вашым.
Пачынаючы з 2027* года, a silent update, nonconsensually pushed by Google, будзе блакіраваць кожную праграму Android распрацоўшчык якой не зарэгістрыраваўся ў Google, не падпісаў кантракт, не заплаціў Google і не прадставіў свае дакументы
Кожная праграма і прылада, па ўсяму свету, без магчымасці адмовіцца.
↓Што робіць Google
У жніўні 2025, Google анасаваў нвоае патрабаванне: пачынаючы з 2027 года, кожны распрацоўшчык праграм Android павінен рэгістрыравацца ў Google перад тым, як ягоны софт зможа быць усталяваны. Не толькі праграмы Play Store: усе. Гэта ўключае праграмы, распаўсюджаныя паміж сябрамі, распаўсюджаныя з дапамогай F-Droid, створаныя для асобнага карыстання. Незалежныя распрацоўшчыкі, цэрквы, супольнасці і энтузіясты, верагодна, страцяць магчымасць распрацоўваць свае праграмы.
Рэгістрацыя патрабуе:
- Заплаціць унёсак Google
- Пагадзіцца на Умовы і Палітыкі Google
- Прадастаўленне дакументаў дзяржанага прыклада
- Прадстаўленне доказаў уладання прыватным ключом распрацоўшчыка
- Пералічэнне ўсіх дзейных і будучых ідэнтыфікатараў праграмы
А калі распрацоўшчык не пагадзіцца, іх праграма будзе сусветна ціха заблакіравана на кожнай прыладзе Android.
Каму гэта шкодзіць?
Вам
Вы купілі тэлефон на Android, бо Google казаў, што ён адкрыты. Вы павінны устанаўліваць што хаціце і такой была здзелка.
Google цяпер перапісвае яе на зябеспячэнні, што ўжо ў вас ёсць. Пасля прымянення абнаўлення, вы зможаце запускаць праграмы, якія зацвердзіў Google. На вашым тэлефоне: ваша маёмасць, за якую вы заплацілі
Незалежным распрацоўшчыкам
Першая праграма падлетка, інструмент для прыватнасці для актывіста ці унутраная бэта вялікай кампаніі. Гэта не мае значэння. У 2027 годзе, нічога з гэтага не зможа быць усталявана без дазволу Google.
F-Droid, дом для тысяч бясплатных і адкрытых праграм Android ужо назваў гэта "пагрозай выжывання". Коры Дактароў назваў гэта "Darth Android".
Урадам і цывілізаванай супольнасці
Google мае задакументаваныя выпадкі падчынення аўтарытарным рэжымам і выдалення праграм. Такім чынам, праграмы інстытутаў у вашай краіне будуць існаваць па дазволу адной некантралюемай замежнай карпарацыі.
EFF назваў такія меры "сцежкай да пашырэння інтэрнэт-цэнзуры."
Кампраміс Google - гэта пастка
Google кажа, што "вопытныя карыстальнікі" могуць "па-ранейшаму ўсталёўваць" неправераныя праграмы. Вось як гэта будзе выглядаць
- Паглыбіцеся ў налады сістэмы, знайдзіце параметры распрацоўшчыка
- Націсніце нумар зборкі сем разоў, каб уключыць рэжым распрацоўшчыка
- Адхільце палохаючыя экраны аб прымусовасці
- Увядзіце PIN-код
- Перазапусціце прыладу
- Пачакайце 24 гадзіны
- Вярніцеся, адключыце больш экранаў палохання
- Выберыце "дазволіць часова" (7 дзён) або "дазволіць на нявызначаны час"
- Яшчэ раз пацвердзіце, што вы разумееце "рызыкі"
Дзевяць крокаў. Абавязковы 24-гадзінны перыяд астуджэння. Для ўсталявання праграмнага забеспячэння на прыладу, якой вы валодаеце.
Што яшчэ горш: гэты паток цалкам праходзіць праз Сэрвісы Google Play, а не праз АС Android. Google можа змяніць яго, зрабіць больш жорсткім або спыніць яго ў любы час, без неабходнасці абнаўлення АС і згоды...
Гэта больш чым Android
Калі Google можа адным днём заблакіраваць мільярды прылад, што прадаваліся як свабодныя плафтормы, кожны вырабнік прылад возьме прыклад.
Задаецца прынцып: кампанія, якая зрабіла вашу прыладу, вырашае пасля таго, як вы яе набылі, якое праграмнае забеспячэнне вам дазволена запускаць. У праграмным забеспячэнні гэта называецца “выцягванне дывана”; але, па меншай меры, вы заўсёды можаце ўсталяваць канкуруючае праграмнае забеспячэнне. Што датычыцца апаратнага забеспячэння, гэта здзейснены факт, які пазбаўляе вас паўнамоцтваў і робіць вас бяссільнымі перад капрызамі аднаго непадсправаздачнага брамніка і асуджанага манапаліста.
Адкрытасць Android ніколі не была проста функцыяй. Гэта абяцанне, якое адрознівала яго ад iPhone. Мільёны выбралі Android менавіта па гэтай прычыне. Цяпер Google адклікае гэтае абяцанне ў аднабаковым парадку на прыладах, якія ўжо знаходзяцца ў кішэнях людзей, таму што яны вырашылі, што ў іх дастаткова дамінавання на рынку і нарматыўнага захопу, каб сысці з рук.
Ars Technica: *"Зайздросць Google Apple пагражае знічышць адкрытую спадчыну Android."
Пачакайце, а гэта ...
"...проста пра бяспеку?"
Абгрунтаванне бяспекі - дымавая заслона. Google Play Protect ужо шукае шкодныя праграмы незалежна ад асобы распрацоўшчыка. Патрабаванне дзяржаўнага пасведчання асобы не робіць код больш бяспечным. Гэта робіць распрацоўшчыкаў ідэнтыфікаванымі і кантраляванымі. Аўтары шкоднасных праграм могуць зарэгістравацца. Незалежныя распрацоўшчыкі і дысідэнты часта не могуць. EFF кажа: абмежаванне на аснове ідэнтыфікацыйных дадзеных з'яўляецца інструментам цэнзуры, а не інструментам бяспекі.
"...усё яшчэ загрузка пабочных праграм у экспертным рэжыме, хіба не?"
Дзевяць крокаў, 24-гадзіннае чаканне, схаваныя ў Параметрах распрацоўшчыка, дастаўленыя праз прапрыетарны сэрвіс, які Google можа адклікаць, калі захоча. Гэта не загрузка пабочных праграм. Гэта механізм стрымлівання, створаны для таго, каб амаль ніхто яго не завяршыў. І паколькі ён працуе праз Play Services, а не праз АС, Google можа зрабіць яго ціхім або забіць.
"...праблема для тых, хто нічога не хавае?"
Першымі ахвярамі стануць інфарматары, журналісты і актывісты пры аўтарытарных урадах. На наступным месцы людзі, якія трапілі ў сямейны гвалт. Усе гэтыя групы маюць законныя падставы распаўсюджваць або выкарыстоўваць праграмнае забеспячэнне без размяшчэння сваёй юрыдычнай асобы ў базе дадзеных Google. Ананімны ўклад з адкрытым зыходным кодам - гэта традыцыя, старэйшая за сам Google. Гэта палітыка спыняе гэта на Android.
"...не тое ж самае, што робіць Apple?"
Apple з першага дня была агароджаным садам. Людзі выбіралі Android, таму што ён быў іншым. “Apple таксама робіць гэта” - гэта гонка на дно і слабы аргумент tu quoque. І пад нарматыўным ціскам (Закон ЕС аб лічбавых рынках) нават Apple вымушана адкрыцца. Google рухаецца ў адваротным кірунку: спрабуе яшчэ больш умацаваць свой статус гейткіпера.
"...проста $25 і крыху працы з паперамі?"
Магчыма, калі вы распрацоўшчык у ЗША з крэдытнай карткай і вадзіцельскімі правамі. Паспрабуйце быць студэнтам у Афрыцы на поўдзень ад Сахары, або дысідэнтам у М'янме, або добраахвотнікам, які падтрымлівае праграму для аховы здароўя супольнасці. Кошт не толькі фінансавы: вы перадаеце дзяржаўнае пасведчанне асобы і доказы вашых ключоў подпісу кампаніі, якая рэгулярна выконвае патрабаванні ўрада выдаляць праграмы і раскрываць распрацоўшчыкаў.
Змагайцеся ў адказ
Усе
- Пачынайце карыстацца F-Droid на кожнай вашай Android прыладзе. Альтэрнатыўныя крамы выжывуць ,калі імі карыстацца.
- Звяжыцеся з мясцовымі рэгулятарамі. Рэгулятары па ўсяму свету хвалюцца з-за манаполій і цэнтралізацыі ўлады у руках тэхнічных кампаній і хацяць пачуць індывідуальныя выпадкі ад тых, каго гэта датычыцца.
- Падзяляйцеся гэтай старонкай. Пакідайце спасылку на keepandroidopen.org усюды.
- Змагайцеся з астратурфінгам. Выразы "Ну вось, ведаеце..." выдзяляюцца з патоку. Не дайце ім задаць наратыў.
- Падпішыце петыцыю на change.org and join the over 100,000 signatories who ...
- Чытайце і пашрайце наш адкрыты ліст
- Кажыце Google, што вы думаеце пра гэта з дапамогай іх Android developer verification requirements survey (хаця б штосьці карыснае).
Распрацоўчшыкі
Не рэгістрыруйцеся. Не далучайцеся да праграмы, прахадзя рэгістрацыю у Android Developer Console, пагаждаючыся на Умовы і Пагадненні. Не пацвярджайце сваю асобу. Не гуляйце ў іх гульню.
План Google спрацуе, калі распрацоўшчыкі пагадзяцца. Не рабіце гэтага.
- Кажыце іншым распрацоўшчыкам і арганізўацыям не рэгістрыравацца.
- Дадайце бібліятэку FreeDroidWarn у вашу праграму, каб папярэджваць карыстальнікаў.
- У вас ёсць сайт? Дадайце банер з таймерам.
Працаўнікі Google
If you know something about the program's technical implementation or internal rationale, contact tips@keepandroidopen.org from a non-work m...
Усе яны супраць…
71 арганізацый з 23 краін ужо падпісалі адкрыты ліст
La Quadrature du Net laquadrature.net
FULU Foundation fulu.org
F-Droid f-droid.org
Open Rights Group (ORG) openrightsgroup.org
Rossmann Group rossmanngroup.com
Techlore techlore.tech
Proton AG proton.me
epicenter.works – for digital rights epicenter.works
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) beuc.eu
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) eff.org
Digitale Gesellschaft digitale-gesellschaft.ch
The Center for Digital Progress (D64) d-64.org
The Chaos Computer Club (CCC) ccc.de
April april.org
Italian Linux Society ils.org
Digital Rights Watch digitalrightswatch.org.au
UnifiedPush unifiedpush.org
FUTO futo.org
GNOME Foundation gnome.org
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) fsfe.org
Fedimedia fedimedia.it
/e/ Foundation e.foundation
Software Liberty Association of Taiwan slat.org.tw
FACiL facil.qc.ca
MetaBrainz Foundation metabrainz.org
Vivaldi Technologies AS vivaldi.com
OpenMedia openmedia.org
The Calyx Institute calyx.org
ARTICLE 19 article19.org
Brave brave.com
iodé iode.tech
Nextcloud nextcloud.com
Associação Nacional para o Software Livre (ANSOL) ansol.org
Software Freedom Conservancy sfconservancy.org
The Free Software Foundation (FSF) fsf.org
GNU/Linux València gnulinuxvalencia.org
Forbrukerrådet forbrukerradet.no
Technopolice Bruxelles technopolice.be
Fundación Karisma karisma.org.co
European Digital Rights (EDRi) edri.org
Data Rights datarights.ngo
Rocky Linux rockylinux.org
CryptPad cryptpad.org
GitHub Store github-store.org
The Digital Rights Foundation digitalrightsfoundation.pk
Cryptee crypt.ee
FOSDEM fosdem.org Вось што кажуць
Тэхнічныя выданні
"Keep Android Open – Abwehr gegen Verbot anonymer Apps von Google"
heise online
"Google's new ID requirements could destroy independent app stores"
TechSpot
"Open letter warns mandatory registration 'threatens innovation, competition, privacy and user freedom'"
Infosecurity Magazine
"Google's Attack on Sideloading Will Rob Android of One of Its Best Features"
How-To Geek
"Google will require developer verification for Android apps outside the Play Store"
TechCrunch
"Google kneecaps indie Android devs, forces them to register"
The Register
"Google will make you wait 24 hours to sideload Android apps"
How-To Geek
"Android Security or Vendor Lock-In? Google's New Sideloading Rules Smell Fishy"
It's FOSS News
"It effectively makes the Play Store a monopoly without actually mandating that it is a monopoly."
I-Programmer
"I've been an Android user for almost 15 years -- and Google's sideloading changes are pushing me back to iPhone"
Tom's Guide
"Google Clamps down On Android's Openness"
Internet Freedom Foundation (India)
"Google will require developer verification to install Android apps, including sideloading"
9to5Google
"Android app store provider Aptoide hits Google with fresh lawsuit alleging monopoly and anticompetitive chokehold"
Benzinga
"I've been an Android user for almost 15 years -- and Google's sideloading changes are pushing me back to iPhone"
Tom's Guide
"Keep Android Open"
Linux Magazine
"Resistance to Google's Android verification grows among developers"
Techzine EU
"Google says it's making Android sideloading 'high-friction' to better warn users about potential risks"
XDA Developers
"An 'existential' threat to alternative app stores"
The New Stack
"Google is restricting one of Android's most important features, and users are outraged"
SlashGear
"Android's sideloading limits are its most anti-consumer move yet"
MakeUseOf
"Google's dev registration plan 'will end the F-Droid project'"
The Register
"Open-Source Android Apps at Risk Under Google's New Decree"
TechRepublic
"Google's new developer rules could threaten sideloading and F-Droid's future"
Gizmochina
"Android, Epic, and What's Really Behind Google's 'Existential' Threat to F-Droid"
Slashdot
"F-Droid project threatened by Google's new dev registration rules"
Bleeping Computer
"We all know that's a load of bullshit. Adding a goddamn 24-hour waiting period is batshit insanity."
Thom Holwerda, OSnews
"Google's New Developer Rules Threaten to End the F-Droid Open-Source App Store"
How-To Geek
"Google's Apple envy threatens to dismantle Android's open legacy"
Ars Technica
"F-Droid Says Google Is Lying About the Future of Sideloading on Android"
How-To Geek
"Google's developer registration 'decree' means the end for alternative app stores"
Cybernews
"Google will verify Android developers distributing apps outside the Play store"
The Verge
"Sideloading is dead for all intents and purposes. The Android you know and love is slowly disappearing."
Android Police
"Google's Attack on Sideloading Will Rob Android of One of Its Best Features"
How-To Geek
"F-Droid says Google's new sideloading restrictions will kill the project"
Ars Technica
"Sideloading on Android? Soon It'll Be Like a TSA Check for Apps"
Android Headlines
"Google plans to block side-loading like Apple, declaring war on Android freedom"
Tuta Blog
"Google's Android developer verification program draws pushback"
InfoWorld
"Over 67 groups urge the company to drop ID checks for apps distributed outside Play"
The Register
"'Keep Android Open' Movement Challenges Google's Developer Verification Rule"
Open Source For U
"Google's Requirement For All Android Developers To Register And Be Verified Threatens To Close Down Open Source App Store F-Droid"
Techdirt
"This will wipe out Android as an actual alternative to Apple's mobile OS offerings."
Hackaday
"Open-Source Android Apps Threatened by Google's New Policy"
Datamation
"F-Droid Says Google Is Lying About the Future of Sideloading on Android"
How-To Geek
"Google's New Developer ID Rule Could Harm F-Droid"
Reclaim The Net
"Sideloading on Android? Soon It'll Be Like a TSA Check for Apps"
Android Headlines
"F-Droid Slams Google for Misleading Users About Android's App Verification"
Android Headlines
Рэдактарскія і аналітыкі
"Google's move is not credibly about 'security,' but actually about consolidating power and tightening control over a formerly open ecosystem."
Techdirt
"Sideloading, a longstanding pillar of Android's openness, is now being marginalized, placing the Android platform closer to the walled-garden approach of Apple's iOS."
Purism
"Google isn't certifying apps, they're certifying developers. This implies that the company can somehow predict whether a developer will do something malicious in the future."
Cory Doctorow, Pluralistic
"Innovation may be the biggest casualty in all of this. This new rule erodes your right to make informed decisions about your own devices."
MakeUseOf
"Google's attempts to make Android 'more secure' are, in fact, increasing the risk for Android users. The more friction you introduce in the name of security, the more likely users will attempt to bypass security completely."
Ken Buckler, Enterprise Management Associates
"Destroying F-Droid isn't some 'oops.' It's the mission. It's Google finally cutting the last remaining escape route and locking every single user inside their store."
fireborn, mataroa.blog
"Google is turning sideloading from a right into a permission slip, and the open-source community has until September to convince it otherwise."
Reclaim The Net
"The $25 isn't the real cost. The chilling effect is. Submitting government ID to Google is a non-starter for pseudonymous contributors and privacy researchers."
Arafat Alim, DEV Community
"This policy represents a dramatic departure from Android's decades-old tradition of openness, in which developers could build and share apps freely without first submitting to a centralized authority."
Biometric Update
"Google has announced what can only be described as a death blow to the open ecosystem that made Android. Under the guise of 'security,' Google is implementing draconian developer verification requirements."
AndroidSage
"Android does not just warn anymore. It enforces."
Youssef Mabrouk, Ostorlab
"One US corporation is placing itself between every Android developer and every Android user on earth."
PixelUnion
"Centralizing the registration of all applications worldwide gives Google newfound powers to completely disable any app it wants."
Mikhail Korotaev, Nextcloud Blog
"Google has not removed Android's openness, but it is turning openness from a default right into a conditional, attributable, and tiered capability."
MerchMindAI
"Android is not open anymore. It's not an alternative. It's not even trying. It's iOS with ads and spyware bolted on."
fireborn, mataroa.blog
"Android is no longer the scrappy rebel. It's just another empire tightening the drawbridge."
Newsfangled
"The requirement extends Google's gatekeeping authority from its own Play Store to every alternative distribution channel on Android."
LLM Advocates
"Google's story that this move is motivated by security is obviously bullshit. The idea that Google can improve Android's safety by certifying developers, rather than code, is obvious bullshit."
Cory Doctorow, Pluralistic
"This is a form of malicious compliance with the court orders stemming from its losses to Epic Games."
Cory Doctorow, Pluralistic
"What student is going to upload their passport to a trillion-dollar surveillance corporation just to share their weekend project?"
fireborn, mataroa.blog
"The phone you bought and paid for is no longer really yours. Google decides which apps are allowed to be loaded on Android and which are not."
Tuta Blog
"The proposed Android Developer Verification program isn't a security update; it's a kill switch for the open ecosystem."
Hillary Keverenge, Tech-ish Kenya
"Every additional bureaucratic hurdle reduces diversity in the software ecosystem and concentrates power in large established players."
Mikhail Korotaev, Nextcloud Blog
"This is not a developer account sign-up. This is comprehensive surveillance of the software development ecosystem."
PixelUnion
"Google has announced that they are altering the deal. And telling us that we should pray that they don't alter it further. Block this policy change now before they wrap their cold metal hands around our necks."
Jesse Wilson, PublicObject.com
"Android wasn't supposed to be 'safe.' It was supposed to be free."
fireborn, mataroa.blog
"Although Google's claim is that this is for 'security', it does not prevent the regular practice of scammers buying up existing verified developer accounts."
Maya Posch, Hackaday
"This could turn Google into the effective gatekeeper for all apps on certified Android devices."
It's FOSS News
"Freedom of choice is being reframed as a 'security risk.'"
Newsfangled
"Developers from sanctioned countries or those without Google Play access cannot verify themselves. This creates systemic discrimination against developers based on birthplace rather than conduct."
agnostic-apollo (Termux developer), GitHub
"There is also the very real possibility that Google will leak your identity with the result that any apps with political implications could result in persecution and worse."
I-Programmer
"This is not about protecting users. This is about control. This is about Google cutting out the last remaining artery of independence in Android."
fireborn, mataroa.blog
"Once there is no such thing as 'sideloading', there's virtually no difference between iOS and Android. I see no reason to buy Android over iOS at this point."
Thom Holwerda, OSnews
Арганізацыі і адкрытыя лісты
"When you set up a gate, you invite authorities to use it to block things they don't like. And when you build a database, you invite governments to try to get access."
Electronic Frontier Foundation
"This invasion of privacy of developers is not just an overreach of Google's authority over Android, but also jeopardizes developer safety."
Software Freedom Conservancy
"Independent software distribution on Android will now require Google's explicit permission."
AdGuard
"Google will cut off independent developers to Android if they do not register with Google first. This will kill independent platforms like F-Droid and severely impede FLOSS devs from creating apps for Android."
KDE
"Verification just confirms who's behind the app, it doesn't guarantee clean code or rule out malicious behavior."
AdGuard
"Google Play itself has repeatedly hosted malware, proving that corporate gatekeeping doesn't guarantee user protection."
F-Droid
"This is a profound change, one that shatters the entire premise of the Android ecosystem, long regarded as the antithesis of the closed Apple ecosystem."
AdGuard
"Your Smartphone, Their Rules: How App Stores Enable Corporate-Government Censorship."
ACLU
"A policy that forces every Android developer to hand their identity to Google, regardless of whether they use Google's services, makes Android a less-open and less-private platform."
Brave
"Ultimately, Google's plan will stop you from owning your Android phone."
Tuta
"Nearly 50 organizations published an open letter opposing what they characterize as a 'kill switch for the open ecosystem.'"
Tech-ish Kenya
"Google's abusive approach to the Android operating system has only gotten worse in recent years. Software freedom is sorely lacking in the 'computers in our pockets' we call cell phones."
Free Software Foundation
"Google is turning Android into a walled garden monopoly. We must prevent it."
Osservatorio Nessuno
"Changes would impose barriers to entry for individual developers, small teams and volunteer projects by imposing fees, identity checks and terms that may not align with the principles of an open ecosystem."
Infosecurity Magazine
"Developers who build privacy-first browsers, encrypted messaging apps, VPNs, Tor-based software or tools for journalists and activists would be required to upload government ID to Google. These developers are unlikely to trust Google and might stop developing for Android."
Brave
"There are governments who might very much like to know the names of the developers of those applications so that they can go after them."
Electronic Frontier Foundation
"For developers building tools specifically designed to protect user privacy, being forced to surrender their own personal data as a precondition for distribution is deeply contradictory."
AdGuard
"MEP Christel Schaldemose formally questioned whether Google's mandatory central registration is compatible with the Digital Markets Act."
European Parliament
"The European Pirate Party called for proportionate and transparent measures that ensure security without restricting innovation, limiting anonymity, or distorting competition."
European Pirate Party
"This extends Google's gatekeeping authority beyond its own marketplace into distribution channels where it has no legitimate operational role."
Open letter, over 67 signatory organizations
"Centralised, intransparent security architectures certainly help secure monetization and the market by locking out competitors."
Nextcloud
"Google's developer verification policy creates a centralized database, controlled by a single corporation, containing the real-world identity of every person who writes software for Android."
Brave
"Unilaterally consolidating power to approve software into the hands of a single unaccountable corporation is a threat to digital sovereignty everywhere."
Nextcloud
"While Android used to be praised for its freedom and independence, it will become a closed shop just like Apple."
Tuta
"A centralized global registration system for Android will inevitably chill this work. Those communities are likely to drop out of developing for Android altogether."
Electronic Frontier Foundation
"If it were to be put into effect, the developer registration decree will end the F-Droid project and other free/open source app distribution sources as we know them today."
F-Droid
"We unequivocally advise against signing up for this program, now or ever."
F-Droid Open Letter
"Forcing software creators into a centralized registration scheme is as egregious as forcing writers and artists to register with a central authority."
F-Droid
"Android's biggest strength has always been its openness. That's what attracted developers and users in the first place."
AdGuard
"Developers who choose not to use Google's services should not be forced to register with, and submit to the judgement of, Google."
Open letter, over 67 signatory organizations
"Remember: It's your phone, your data, your freedom. Don't let Google take it away."
Tuta
"We are running out of time until Google becomes the gate-keeper of all users devices."
F-Droid
Ютуберы і стваральнікі кантэнту
"I have really no more strong reason to not recommend you all get iPhones, because this just is pretty much an iPhone with a Google logo on it at this point."
Techlore – YouTube
"The widely-circulated narrative that Google already backed down from this is false. They didn't, and that misunderstanding may be the most dangerous part of the story right now."
Techlore – YouTube
"This represents the last real safe place for free and open-source software in the entire mobile ecosystem. Once it's gone, it's gone. And we're going to spend the next decade trying to claw it back."
Techlore – YouTube
"Google keeps getting in as much trouble as Apple when Google is half evil and Apple is full evil. So there are probably people inside Google saying, 'Why not just go full evil?'"
Louis Rossmann – YouTube
"Developers of privacy-focused tools and emulators will have to dox themselves, making them vulnerable to government agencies or legal action."
SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube
"Google is removing the one key advantage Android has over iOS."
SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube
"Google decides what's safe for you, and you don't get a say."
fireborn – Blog
"F-Droid is basically saying that the new Google developer registration process will likely kill the open-source app store entirely."
The Linux Experiment – YouTube
"Android has become what they set out to destroy."
Linus Sebastian, LMG Clips – YouTube
"If I'm going to be trapped in a walled garden anyway, I'll take the one that's built properly."
fireborn – Blog
"Imagine Dell told you that you could no longer install any operating system other than Windows on your laptop. That's what Google is doing to your phone."
SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube
"Google isn't testing this in the US or Europe first. They're starting in countries like Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Why? Because these are massive growth markets where regulation is weaker. By the time regulators catch up, the damage will already be done."
ChiefGyk3D – YouTube
"The fact of the matter is, this is my device. I paid a lot of money for it. I should be able to do with it what I want."
Switched to Linux – YouTube
"Google has been carefully watching from the sidelines to see what exactly it is that Apple can get away with."
Linus Sebastian, LMG Clips – YouTube
"Follow the money. Google makes money when apps are downloaded from its store. Google has completely forgotten about its earlier company motto: Don't be evil."
Tuta Blog – Blog
"When you download applications, you've simply installed an application. I don't want to use words like 'sideload.'"
SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube
"Google is setting a requirement that only they can fulfill, forcing developers to go through Google and killing off thousands of apps. Countless users stranded."
Techlore – YouTube
"This means you can't sideload an app from an unofficial source. But it could also be used to lock the ecosystem so we're forced to install only Google apps on approved Google OS versions."
Rob Braxman Tech – Locals
"This is an iPhone now. I didn't want to buy an iPhone. I use Android because it gives me freedom. If you are not going to give me freedom with my computer, then why would I buy your stuff anymore?"
Louis Rossmann – YouTube
"I'm not using the word 'phone.' I'm using the word 'computer.' This has over 8 GB of RAM, a terabyte of storage. It's a computer. And I'm also not going to be using words like 'sideload.' When you download an exe file onto your Windows computer, you've installed an application. You haven't 'sideloaded' something."
Louis Rossmann – YouTube
"Google already can disable malware that they find on your device. It's already a built-in feature. So what is developer registration actually adding here? Is it security or control? You decide."
Techlore – YouTube
"Your device, their rules. The phone you bought and paid for is no longer really yours."
Tuta Blog – Blog
"Every single time a company takes away your ability to do what you want with what you bought and paid for, every single time they twist a knife, we have to point it out."
Louis Rossmann – YouTube
"That's not openness. That is control."
ChiefGyk3D – YouTube
"Google is doing to Android what Microsoft once tried to do to the web. Embrace, extend, extinguish. Just wrapped in a shinier open-source package."
ChiefGyk3D – YouTube
"A world where two tech companies from the same city that dominate all of our mobile devices both require centralized developer registration is a world with one more lever for surveillance, one more checkpoint for censorship."
Techlore – YouTube
Распрацоўшчыкі і супольнасці
"Requiring a government ID to distribute software. Holy shit. If you are a kid and want to create a game for your friends, you better get that birth certificate ready!"
llitz, Reddit
"I buy a device with my own money, which I supposedly then own, but then I need to ask some corporation permission to use it."
askonomm, Hacker News
"The fundamental problem is that we are relying on the good graces of Google to keep Android open, despite the fact that it often runs contrary to their goals as a $4T for-profit behemoth. The 'don't be evil' days are very far behind us."
paxys, Hacker News
"If the likes of Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and others have their way, you will not own your computer; those companies will effectively own your computers."
RUs1729, Slashdot
"Signal, VPNs -- they'll have a list of everyone opting out of government-mandated backdoors."
Max-P, Lemmy
"We need to start treating phones differently. We're entering a world where we can't choose what we run on them. Their primary purpose is to gather data on us and serve us advertising, they're engineered for addiction, yet engaging in the world is immensely difficult without one."
specproc, Hacker News
"Software gatekeeping is a threat to human rights. Just recently an app to track ICE was banned from the iOS app store even though this should clearly be protected first amendment speech."
gthing, Reddit
"Can't come at a worse time. People are just learning to make things through vibe coding, and they're gonna want to put their own apps on their phones. And now Google says no."
Serinus, Lemmy
"I teach digital literacy and 99% of unsavory software I encounter on people's phones come from the Play Store or App Store. I will believe they're serious about protecting users when I see them do something about the crap ton of borderline scam apps infesting their stores."
1995ToyotaCorolla, Lemmy
"Making it harder makes it harder to treat ourselves. Software like AndroidAPS is unique. It's hard to find or very expensive and inferior in the proprietary market."
pimeys (diabetic user on life-critical medical software), Lobsters
"Years ago, I wondered how Google would try to get away with locking down Android and shutting the cage door after capturing such a large dependent user base. Now I see how they are trying to get away with it."
chaznabin, Reddit
"I hate this so much. More and more I get the feeling I have no control over the devices I own. My fear is that Windows will eventually follow. For security reasons of course. It's the path we're on now."
cheesyvoetjes, Reddit
"Google has no right to be my parent. As long as I can't reject paternalism, I don't believe for a second this is done with the well-being of scam victims as the main priority."
gspr, Lobsters
"Android was never actually open and now they are abandoning even the thin pretense."
Tiraon, Tildes
"You have no right telling me what I can and cannot run on my own devices."
MrZander, Hacker News
"It's not cyclic. It's a ratchet and it gets tighter and tighter."
BenjaminRi, Lobsters
"Brazil government app refuses to operate with developer mode on."
flykespice (developer in Brazil), Hacker News
"Google's own Play Store had over 600 million malware downloads. They keep talking about 'security' but their own store is crawling with fake apps and straight up malware while actual useful stuff gets buried or rejected."
Historical-Employ129 (324 upvotes), Reddit
"Google seems to actively hate people who develop for their platforms."
hbn, Hacker News
"The war on General Purpose Computing is the death of innovation and a direct attack on digital freedom."
layfellow, Hacker News
"After 15 years of professional development on Android I too am now thinking about switching my focus to something different. And it sucks."
MrDresden, Hacker News
"Whatever Google is doing kind of scares me. We have a big DIY community of diabetics in Germany running tools like AndroidAPS that cannot ever be distributed through official channels."
pimeys (Type 1 diabetic, DIY medical software), Lobsters
"If your country is ever in the crosshairs of 'American interests' and bears the brunt of its sanctions, it is possible that you cannot install apps from your fellow citizens. Your own local government, bank, and store apps."
devsda, Hacker News
"If Android's sandbox and permission systems actually worked, then the mere act of installing an app from an arbitrary source would be as harmless as visiting an arbitrary website."
mwcampbell, Lobsters
"They're boiling the frog -- slowly removing features until all choice is gone."
hn92726819, Hacker News
"Give me liberty or give me Symbian."
masterofn001, Lemmy
"I want to deploy apps on my device. They are my apps, it's my device, and I should not be required to ask for permission to do so."
fsniper, Hacker News
"Don't beg. Don't get in a position that freedoms depend on the whims of a corporation or willingness of a government to regulate them. Build."
jzb, Lobsters
"'Sideload' is like 'jaywalking'; seeks to stigmatize humans being human."
tejtm, Hacker News
"Twice I have had to deal with Google silently disabling my drone app to the point I had to buy an older phone to perform work. When I purchase a device that works with another device, under no circumstances should I be at the mercy of any updates they make."
cbrophoto (drone professional), Reddit
"It took them 17 years to finally pull the cage all the way shut."
Apocryphon, Hacker News
"Any time someone puts a lock on something that belongs to you, and won't give you a key, they're not doing it for your benefit."
vord (quoting Cory Doctorow), Tildes
"Anyone else thinking this looks like a precursor to banning Signal and similar? 1) Put Google in control of what you can install. 2) Get Google to block it."
harry8, Hacker News
"There's an entire genre of scamming where the scammers spend months building rapport with their victims before cashing out. One day is nothing."
free_bip (on the 24-hour wait defeating scammers), Hacker News
"We are talking about something categorically worse than vendor lock-in: Collective vendor lock-in."
anordal, Lobsters
"The phrase 'sideload' is psychological propaganda we are all best off rejecting."
WaffleMonster, Slashdot
"Google now has a flag on my phone they can control remotely to keep me from accessing the apps I want."
vala, Lemmy
"Google selling Android as both open source and open to running any software you like in order to quickly gain market share, only to break those promises after driving competing platforms out of the market is nothing more than fraud."
GeekyBear, Hacker News
"It is a disgrace how Google has managed this situation. The promised 'advanced flow' hasn't appeared in any Android 16 or 17 betas. Google is quietly proceeding with the original lockdown."
fermigier, Hacker News
"Google wants the authority of a gatekeeper without the overhead of human accountability."
afferi300rina, Hacker News
"My Pixel 6 just broke, and after 15 years of using Android, I've finally been convinced to move to iOS. If I must live in a walled garden, I suppose I'll choose the one with nicer flowers."
yonato, Hacker News
"Computing is infrastructure. Personal computers are a means of expressing agency. This is like banning people from moving furniture around their house without approval from mortgage lenders."
wervenyt, Tildes
"I still remember how in the early days of Android vs iOS discussions, the main point was 'but it's OPEN!' The word 'open' was used as a comma by Google people. It was The Thing. The Difference. Good vs Evil and all that."
jwr, Hacker News
"The open Android I knew and loved is long gone."
girvo, Hacker News
"Google's plan to require developer verification would give Google and governments the ability to ban any app."
Zak, Hacker News
"Antitrust action is badly needed. It is ridiculous that I need permission from my device manufacturer to install software on hardware I own."
jim201, Hacker News
"You are essentially a child to them. The difference is society has decided not to step in to protect you from your abusive parents."
globular-toast, Hacker News
"This is a war on users that want to keep control of their phones and when it's done, you will not be able to escape the enshittification."
ikidd, Lemmy
"All the banking and payment apps in India refuse to open if you have developer mode on."
nibbleyou (developer in India), Hacker News
"Social engineering is destroyed with education, not with restriction and control. Trading freedom for safety eliminates both."
survirtual, Hacker News
"Play store is full of scam apps, F-Droid isn't, but Play Store is considered secure. It's all theatre."
gcupc, Lobsters
"Android is for everyone, provided they submit to Google exclusively."
gumby271, Hacker News
"If I go down this path, I will stop all development on Android. I implore all other developers to resist this. This will completely lock down the platform forever, there will be no going back."
BatteryMountain, Hacker News
"Once deployed, there's a near 100% chance of such a mechanism being used for evil."
Zak, Lemmy
"They have stolen a free product and are now actively locking out the people who built it."
TheTearMiser, Lemmy
"Some time in the future, we will look back to this era and ask ourselves what went wrong."
BenjaminRi, Lobsters
"Modern life practically forces you to put all your eggs into a phone controlled by one of two profit-seeking companies."
koala, Lobsters
"For 'security' -- always security with these assholes. They're just building the walls of the walled garden higher."
lynxy, Tildes
"This isn't just a competition between app stores; it's a struggle for choice and dignity. Your phone shouldn't be a cage carefully constructed by others, but an extension of your own will."
renshijian, Hacker News
Галасы з петыцыі
"I ought to have the right to install any program I'd like on my computer without google acting as gatekeeper. F-droid's Foss nature makes it more trustworthy than the play store has ever been. "
Cris, change.org
"Android has long been the operating system that has allowed customization and freedom. It's the bedrock on why I use the platform. Taking away the ability to use FOSS and alternative sources just kills what makes Android Android for me. At that stage I might as well give in and get a blue bubble and better base privacy. Super disappointed in this direction. "
Jacob, change.org
"We don’t want Android to be the next IOS —— the well known Anti-GNU softwares. Protection is a cover, Operation of False Flag should not and would not be able to succeed. "
Danny, change.org
"Don't trust billionare companies, they want to take away our choice! "
Hugo, change.org
"Keep Android Open "
Timothy, change.org
""Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Benjamin Franklin "
ethical, change.org
"Google, this accomplish two things: 1/ This will limit privacy respecting apps to those of us who run degoogled OSs. 2/ More people will flash degoogled OSs onto their phones. Do you really want less data coming in to monetize? Your call. "
Scott, change.org
"The freedom of apks is one of the best parts about android period. This will kill their identity, our freedom as consumers, and only give more control to the corporate super entity. "
Walace, change.org
"The whole point of Android is to give the user the freedom to use their phone in and way they want. To limit that freedom will only cause users to resent and stop using android. Hopefully they reverse this choice. "
Eduardo, change.org
"We are so used to it by now, but not having root access to your own device is insane. This would never fly in the PC space. I just want a computer in my pocket, but instead we have locked down appliances that we are not free to use as we wish. Side-loading apps made not having root access palatable since I could still do most things I would want to do anyway. Without it, I will be looking to move away from Android going forward. "
Brandon, change.org
"Phone operating systems already have a precident of being locked down, and locking down android tightens the restrictions and paves the way for less freedom. We need to take a stand and refuse to let Google take control away from us. "
Joey, change.org
"Google you suck ass. the whole point of Android is freedom. you're going to destroy so much and anger so many people if you do this 3 do it on pixel n ChromeOS or whatever but leave everything else alone you're ruining something beautiful "
liam, change.org
"Device freedom shluld not be limted and the whole appel of android is device freedom taking that away defeats the whole point terrible change hope this doesn't go through "
Logan, change.org
"Android used to be all about giving its users freedom over the walled garden approach of iOS. If Google will be following the same path of Apple, they will be losing a major competitive advantage among pro users. "
Freddy, change.org
"Intelectual property is a disgrace! If what Google is trying to do is normalized it will eventually reach other OSes and it could kill game preservation via emulation. Not only that, they are also trying to normalize putting ridiculous restrictions to the freedom of the developers which could eventually kill open-source or at least make it unimaginably worst! "
Guilherme, change.org
"I am not a developer, I am just a user, and I think it is very important to say that this does not just affect developers. There is nothing good about locking down an open ecosystem. There is no good reason for Google mandating ID Verification aside from pushing their dominance over Android. This is disgusting, given that Android has always been seen as the free haven away from Apple's walled garden. Now the only way to achieve freedom is by using a fork of Android, which will become harder and harder as Google inevitably enforces locked bootloaders. Seeing Android turn into a Google flavored IOS is just a huge punch in the gut, and really puts into perspective what can be lost under greedy leadership. "
Zakery, change.org
"I've always like Google for supporting open source. If Google doesn't not support open source who will? Come Google please keep being advocate of open source. I don't mind all the tracking Google does as long as they support open source "
allan, change.org
"I've been using Apk Apps since I was 6. 6! I'm 18 now. If you do this, your removing something that's a Part of My Life and also maybe some people too. This Is what makes Android Unique, This Is the Gift and the Power of Android! If you take It away, you're also taking away the freedom people believed this system to have, this freedom allows users to truly own their devices! And your only just taking It away like nothing, like this system hasn't existed since the launch of Android! Like Seth mentioned, Android started as an open operating system, you have simply turned It Into a reskinned Apple OS. You're better then this. The stop button Is right there, Just click It... ❤️🩹 "
Jonah, change.org
"I think this a terrible thing since what if you're trying to create your own project app but with this you wont be able to create your own app easily with no problem for your own personal self "
Angel, change.org
"I use android to *avoid* closed environments and allow for more freedom in what I can do. Don't remove freedom of choice, you damn cowards! "
Douglas, change.org
"As a user and advocate of free and open-source software, I express my deep concern regarding Google's recent decisions that progressively erode the open nature of Android. The reduction of AOSP releases from four to two times per year [[13]], the development of the system behind closed doors [[21]], and the new developer verification program that threatens independent repositories like F-Droid [[17]], represent a shift toward a more controlled and restrictive model. Android was born as a promise of freedom for manufacturers, developers, and users; turning it into a closed ecosystem not only betrays its foundational principles, but also limits innovation, competition, and users' right to control their own devices. I demand transparency and a genuine commitment to open source. "
Dalien, change.org
"I use sideloading everyday. A lot of the apps I use are open source and not on the play store, taking away sideloading would remove a lot of the freedom android has, and then I might as well use an iPhone "
Gabriel, change.org
"I used APK's to play tons of games I loved, like angry birds star wars and I don't wanna see it taken from me. It has always been easier then apple (I know because I sideload all the time) and doesn't help anyone. You're moving customers away. Do better. "
Jane, change.org
"Don't make daddy Torvalds mad what you did with his kernel "
Silas, change.org
"Please, google, no change you words, no comeback with them, we of android ecosystem need a system open. "
Matheus, change.org
"Android is Linux. Linux is free! "
Arthur, change.org
"I strongly oppose this change. Google should HIGHLY reconsider this idea. It's SPECIFICALLY this freedom that makes me go with android to begin with. This freedom of choice is what separates them from Apple. If this change goes into effect you will see many users either switch to Apple, or find any possible alternatives that support these options. "
Zachary, change.org
"The idea that you don't get to decide what software runs on your computer is so toxic and terrible. I don't want google to have the ability to limit what I can do with my devices, nor do I want them to censor developers that don't meet their requirements. It's my device, I want to decide who I trust to write my software. "
Bruce, change.org
"Don't be like Apple "
Tom, change.org
"The world needs more freedom, not less. Nobody said you *have* to use a free APK, but we need to keep the option open for anybody who does. "
Evan, change.org
"Leave our phones alone. Dont turn Android into Apple "
leavemyphonealone, change.org
"I bought a andropd because I wanted to have a free open and custom misable experience and now Google is taking that away from us I would rather pay for an iPhone no considering the fact to Google is doing this "
Carter, change.org
"hopefully this does not become one more avenue for freedom and expression that gets restricted by corprate over greed and government overreach. "
manz, change.org
"As a developer, stop! This is the only reason I used Android and didn't have to jailbreak and root it. Making this change under the guise of security amounts to manipulation, lying, deceiving your customers, and taking away their rights to use their device in their way. Mark my words, rooting will become popular again and I will personally be at the forefront of actively working against you and your goals. I cannot agree with such blatant bad faith arguments and poor reasoning. You assume most people aren't developers and too stupid to see through this. You want more money by any means necessary no matter how angry people get. Android was supposed to be an open ecosystem and now you're actively anti-consumer. It's disgusting. "
CARLOS, change.org
"As someone who writes and uses my own APKs to make my device even more useful to me, this lockdown would be a deal breaker for my use of the Google Android platform "
Luke, change.org
"Locking down the Android OS does not benefit developers, or users. It gives more control for Google, to eventually extract more from their users. Android has not been the epitome privacy and FOSS, for a while now; but it has at least kept some of those options open for users. Limiting sideloading is ruining my last reason to use Android. Time to switch. "
Steven, change.org
"I sent info and link to large group of IT guys on WhatsApp and also on my Facebook: Google, being in a dominant position, wants to block the ability to install applications on Android phones from independent developers - enthusiasts. "
Zibi, change.org
"There is no point to using android if apks are restricted. If I wanted a phone to tell me what i can and can't do, I would get an apple, because at least I get better security and UI there. The android operating system is being stripped of everything that gives you control over your own device. If apks were restricted, I would completely degoogle my life. Big brother is watching you. "
Ben, change.org
"the whole point of android is that it is open. i want to OWN and have actual control over my device. google's decision takes that out. It's cruel and straightup dystopian how it is forcing users to just comply; thus having you not actually "own" the device. we want to freely choose what we have on our own devices, and it's quite blatant the "protection from risks" is only a smokescreen to censor and ... ruin android's biggest redeeming quality. this is a horrible choice "
r.w., change.org
"The openness of Android is perhaps one of the greatest features of Android. While many people do not sideload apps, many others do for a variety of reasons. Having the ability to use your own devices as you want want to, is crucial for many people around the world. We have seen many times in the past, that "security" measures like this one do very little to increase security, but restrict users heavily. "
Eric, change.org
"Way to get people Ungoogling "
Martin Moe, change.org
"Are you not greedy enough? "
wesley, change.org
"Google, pls keep the sideloading and freedom of anyone installing or developing apps and others choosing to use them open. It is a breach of trust by making the ecosystem closed. People will hate google, no doubt I have started feeling so too with your move / proposed move. "
Gaspi, change.org
"Keep it open source! "
Brad, change.org
"I am concerned for my privacy with this change. I chose Android under the impression that I can customize my device in ways that can help me protect my online privacy. That's something that can't be said for Apple. The decision to change Android to a closed system is going to hurt people like me who care about online privacy. Google, You're not helping your customer base by doing this. Only making them more likely to switch to iphones or flip phones. This is not the Android I've always known, It's another platform falling into the proprietary capitalism that a significant amount of the android customer base has been trying to steer away from since the early days of smartphones. "
Patience, change.org
"You will bury yourselves. "
William, change.org
"We need to keep Android open! "
Caleb, change.org
"The iOS user experience is invariably more polished and seamless than any Android device. In the tablet market especially, Android can't hold a candle to iOS when it comes to usable. For the entirety of Android's existence, the freedom to use our devices the way we want, rather than being beholden to the whims of a manufacturer, has been THE reason to use Android. Not a reason, not the most important or compelling reason, THE ONE AND ONLY REASON. To remove or hamper the ability to sideload apps is to remove Android's only reason to exist. Remember, no matter how many of our rights and abilities you remove with regard to how customers use their devices, there's one right you cannot touch: our right to purchase an objectively easier to use iOS device. "
Pranam, change.org
"As a consumer, I bought and use Android platform devices because I care about my privacy and I care about accessing third-party applications that are not strictly on Google's Play Store. I utilize F-Droid and various other third-party app stores, and this would be a major impediment to me. I did not agree to Google pulling the rug from beneath me well after I bought several thousand dollar Android phones and devices. "
Stephen, change.org
"The freedom that Android offered was its defining feature. Without that freedom, it is no different than iOS. So when I go to buy my next phone, at least Apple hasn't pulled the rug out from under me, just saying... "
Daniel, change.org
"When I purchase a device I have the right to own it. Otherwise why pay for it. We already disclose ID and pay Google for apks. We chose android over apple only due to the freedom that used to be. If you do not back off all of us will ditch our androids and apple as we do not need more stalking in our lives. People have been creative you know. 🫥 "
S, change.org
"Android’s intended purpose has always been to be an open, permissionless operating system. By requiring developer "verification" to install apps, Google is turning a personal device into a corporate-controlled appliance. I oppose this policy because: Ownership: I bought the hardware; I should decide what software runs on it without a "gatekeeper." Privacy: Forcing independent developers to "dox" themselves to Google kills anonymous, pro-privacy innovation. Freedom: Sideloading must remain a right, not a privilege granted by a Google-controlled ID system. Keep Android open. Don't build a walled garden. "
Jordan, change.org
"The entire reason I chose an android over an apple phone was the control over my device I got. Taking that away is a mistake! "
Gin, change.org
"Google's promise was that Android would remain an open ecosystem allowing developers to freely play in an open sandbox and build applications without requiring a central authority. Users are capable of determining and accepting risk on their own, and the barrier to sideloading is high enough to keep most general users safe. It's been shown that even Play Store's security reviews are not perfect and that malware makes its way onto the platform, so there is no basis for this change other than greed and overreach. "
Cameron, change.org
"Without the ability to make my own choices on it I have no reason to use android. I am already tired of and furious about censorship if this goes through I will never use android again. "
Orrin, change.org
"Android became popular because it offered freedom and customization. Reducing APK access risks moving away from those values and limiting innovation within the ecosystem. We are asking Google to protect user choice, maintain transparency, and preserve the openness that defines Android. "
Assif, change.org
"This COULD end piracy of some games, paid apps, viruses/spyware and modded apps/cheats. But as a Brazilian, I'm against this, because there is a lot of Open source apps on github and F-droid with really useful functionalities. "
Gianluigi, change.org
"if there is no evolution there must be revolution "
Joshua, change.org
"The biggest reason I love Android is because it's open. I have had ENOUGH of companies trying to decide what I can and can't do with the devices I purchased. If I spent money on it, it is MINE and I should be allowed to do whatever I want with it. Enough is enough. "
Callum, change.org
"As a android user and a newbie developer, android OS is famous by the its freedom. Because we can modify our android operating system by our ways,and decided which software I wanted which I needn't. This freedom is the biggest difference between android and IOS and other fake android, which is full of junk ads and virus-like game. However, if we lost freedom on android operating system, the open-source software developer will lose motivation from this platform. That is a horrorible things to the android and the people who beloved with it. "
su, change.org
"This would simply make me walk away from using android devices, you act like android is the only phone OS out there and it's not. Linux is a powerful tool, so don't be foolish Google. "
Christopher, change.org
"Pαrα sαlvαr Αndroid "
Jhon Harrison, change.org
"make android good again "
Samuel, change.org
"I believe increasingly closed ecosystems lend not only to the monopolization of tech but are a threat to the digital sovereignty of individuals worldwide making them susceptible to government and corporate surveillance. "
Adrian, change.org
"Apenas apoio "
Immer, change.org
"When I'm bored, I don't look through the play store - it's full of ads and mind-numbing time wasters. Instead, I look through f-droid, which is full of solo developer apps designed to actually be useful and solve a problem. Maybe a problem unique to that one developer, but it's always interesting to look at. We flock to Android because apple doesn't let us side-load. Why take away something that is core to many users experience and has only limited security problems? We all know this isn't about security, it's about control. It's my phone, let me do what I want with it. (And don't even get me started about Android's rollback "protection" >:( ) "
Spencer, change.org
"The whole reason i chose android over apple so many years ago was for the freedom choice in how and what my phone does and doesnt do. Now google is attempting to take that away that freedom. Im honestly so frustrated with googles invasive practices that i've deleted all my google accounts, and moved on to better, more privacy focused alternatives. Sadly google wants to kill that off. "
cae, change.org
"I use apk's for work don't ban apk "
Binyomin, change.org
"Android already provides security tools — Play Protect, install warnings, and permissions. These are the right solutions. A blanket lockdown is not security; it is control! "
Alex, change.org
"I'm not even a dev and I don't agree with this "
John, change.org
"Open source has always been foundational to everything Google and Android have accomplished. But locking off local installation will hurt open source development on the Android platform. I personally have apps I won't be able to use anymore. Please don't do this to us, we don't want to have to change platforms yet again. "
David, change.org
"I like to have a choice to choose and I understand the risks, that is why I check, Google should not have monopoly over it. "
Rosalie, change.org
"I do not agree with Google's decision to limit my personal choices about the device I paid for. I bought my phone under the impression I was allowed to use whatever software I choose, but with these restrictions, I feel betrayed and used. I may as well stop using Android phones if it's just going to be another Apple. "
Sabrina, change.org
"I do not support Google moving android in a totalitarian direction where freedom is removed and central authority is enforced. Keep Android Free! "
Phillip, change.org
"Google removing the freedom to install whatever software on MY device that I paid for and own goes against the android ethos. It was built on being an open project that anyone can change and use, this is why I use android over other companys. I use Fdroid for all of my apps and like to make and load my own for my own useage. If this is taken away it will be a great loss to android. "
Perry, change.org
"Please don't let Google screw us over with this now! I hope we win and they don't do this! "
Saul, change.org
"Mobile devices are tools, and tools must serve who uses them, not who makes them. "Sideloading" is what makes android so useful for all sorts of tasks. And if one's not convinced by the danger of letting large and unchangeable companies (or even governments in some cases) be in control of what you use everyday, then one should be convinced by the danger of turning your expensive phone or tablet useless by being allowed to use only a very small and limited set of apps. Android is an operating system! not a service for google to rule over! "
Wolfy, change.org
"As a long-time Android enthusiast, I strongly oppose your push to force developer ID verification for APK sideloading. This policy erodes the open ecosystem that drew millions to Android, blocking access to legacy apps, region-locked content, and custom tools from sources like F-Droid. Under the guise of security, it stifles innovation and user freedom. Please reverse this immediately and honor Android's roots in choice and accessibility. "
Lucas, change.org
"Locking down android will create incredible friction to open source and 3rd party application stores. Imagine if you could only install PC programs from Microsoft Store. "
Andres, change.org
"We ned open source application PLEASE "
french, change.org
"I have the right to download apps made from developers I trust. You do not make that decision for me. Hands off! "
Danielle, change.org
"I've always loved android because of the freedom to download apps. Now that Google has decided to lock the bootloader, we need to do something so it stays customizable or else. I will switch to a Linux phone if this happens. "
Andrew, change.org
"This is unreal, time to change to non android, play store devices.... "
Robert, change.org
"I don't have much to say other than that this is immensely foolish of Google to do. "
Jaden, change.org
"I resent Google trying to invade, record and control more and more of my life. My enthusiasm for tech has really fallen off a cliff over the past 10 years and it just continues to fall. I've continued to move more of my activities to a self-hosted environment to preserve my sanity, information and preferences as mainstream services continue to change for the worse. "
Leah, change.org
"Having the ability to own your phone and use it as you wish is the ONLY reason I have used Android over Iphone for years "
Matthew, change.org
"Android was built as a open technology which made it stand against other proprietary operating systems such as iOS. This decision is not about "protection". It is about locking the system in order to benefit from a lockdown system. Developing app on Android is meant to be about learning and testing in the simplest way without having to be "an approved developer". "
Albert, change.org
"Promote Foss and let's talk about the next phone OS "
james, change.org
"Google is an evil company. "
Cool, change.org
"The only reason why I absolutely love android is because it makes me feel like I actually OWE my device and can do with it whatever I please to do, if google is limiting what I CAN or CANT do this means the device is no longer mine and why would I stick with android when there is other ecosystems like iOS which are SO much better than googles tracking and privacy? I want android to stay the way it’s been, open, amazing and fulfilling for users like me and so many others, all of my friends and family members use/have android because it belongs to them, if google decides to implement this APK blocking I assure them everyone around me will start buying iPhones! "
Andres, change.org
"Keep the Android ecosystem free. "
Gabriel, change.org
"I use android for the freedom to do what I want with my device. If google restricts my ability to sideload apps, I will switch to a phone with an OS that continues to allow me to use my own device how I see fit. "
Sarah, change.org
"The best part of android is the freedom to do what we want, downloading fan made apps and such is the freedom we like its kinda only reason people buy androids "
Andrew, change.org
"More sensorship, more control, just another step into taking away the little bits of freedom we have left in this country in the things we love doing the most. I say no thank you, go away. "
Brandon, change.org
"I think it's bad because there will be no freedom or be able to test out your own apps you want to make like projects "
Angel, change.org
"Android began as the open-source, mod-friendly underdog in the cell phone market years ago. I watched it as it grew into a thriving scene where we could brag to our Apple-loyal friends about the freedom we had in our platform, the platform we bolstered up and supported and went against the culture at the time to get behind. Over time, it's become less and less free and open; locking bootloaders, denying permission to access all of the storage we pay for on our devices, penalizing power users who root their phones by disabling basic functionality, and now that their Play Store monopoly has been called out for what it is Google, so desperately in need of more money than they earn from collecting and selling all of our private data to finance their AI ambitions, which are trained on all of our data in the first place, is locking down the user's ability to control how they can utilize the device they own even further, just so they can have a say (and a fee collected) in every application that others produce for what used to be a truly open-source platform. It's disgusting how for ensh*tification has gone. These are Our devices. We pay for them. They are ours to have to replace, to finance, to insure, to charge, and to use. You should have a say in literally every single aspect of how they're used, and exploiting small developers under the guise of "security" is just pathetic. "
Sheldon, change.org
"Yeah i like the big man having control over the phone i bought. Thats the only reason i went to Android. Never again. Hope Android is dying for it "
Tobias, change.org
"Keep android open! "
Giuseppe, change.org
"I use a de-googled phone and F-Droid is my store. This will destroy F-Droid. If I pay for a device I should be able to load what every I like on that device. Google is using it's monopoly powers to force us into a box. I'm a great believer in privacy and freedom and I see it day by day gradually eroded. "
Peter, change.org
"Android does not need to be the same as iphones are: locked and proprietary. "
Dustin, change.org