Điện thoại của bạn sắp không còn là của bạn.
Từ năm 2027*, một bản cập nhật âm thầm do Google triển khai, không cần sự đồng ý của người dùng, sẽ chặn các ứng dụng Android nếu nhà phát triển chưa đăng ký với Google, chưa ký điều khoản, chưa trả phí và chưa nộp giấy tờ tùy thân do nhà nước cấp.
Mọi ứng dụng. Mọi thiết bị. Trên toàn thế giới. Không có lựa chọn từ chối.
↓Google đang làm gì?
Tháng 8 năm 2025, Google công bố một yêu cầu mới: từ năm 2027, mọi nhà phát triển ứng dụng Android đều phải đăng ký với Google trước khi phần mềm của họ có thể được cài trên bất kỳ thiết bị nào. Không chỉ ứng dụng trên Play Store, mà tất cả ứng dụng đều bị áp dụng. Điều này bao gồm cả ứng dụng chia sẻ giữa bạn bè, phân phối qua F-Droid, hoặc do người dùng tự viết cho nhu cầu cá nhân. Nhà phát triển độc lập, nhóm nhà thờ, tổ chức cộng đồng và người làm ứng dụng vì sở thích đều sẽ bị chặn khỏi việc phát triển và phân phối phần mềm của chính họ.
Trong quá trình đăng ký, nhà phát triển sẽ phải:
- Trả phí cho Google
- Chấp nhận điều khoản và điều kiện của Google
- Cung cấp giấy tờ tùy thân do nhà nước cấp
- Cung cấp bằng chứng bạn sở hữu khóa ký riêng
- Liệt kê toàn bộ mã định danh ứng dụng hiện có và sẽ có trong tương lai
Nếu nhà phát triển không tuân thủ, mọi ứng dụng của họ sẽ bị âm thầm chặn trên mọi thiết bị Android trên thế giới.
Ai bị ảnh hưởng?
Người dùng
Bạn mua điện thoại Android vì Google hứa rằng Android là một nền tảng mở. Bạn có thể cài thứ mình muốn — đó vốn là thỏa thuận.
Giờ, Google đang viết lại thỏa thuận đó, áp ngược lên cả phần cứng mà bạn đã mua. Sau khi cập nhật được triển khai, bạn chỉ có thể chạy phần mềm đã được Google phê duyệt trên chính chiếc điện thoại của bạn, là tài sản của bạn, thứ mà bạn đã bỏ tiền ra mua.
Nhà phát triển độc lập
Ứng dụng đầu tiên của một học sinh, công cụ bảo vệ quyền riêng tư do tình nguyện viên làm, hay bản beta nội bộ của một công ty — tất cả đều không khác gì nhau. Từ năm 2027, những ứng dụng đó sẽ không thể được cài nếu chưa được Google cho phép.
F-Droid, nơi lưu trữ hàng nghìn ứng dụng Android tự do và mã nguồn mở, gọi đây là một mối đe dọa “mang tính sống còn”. Cory Doctorow gọi nó là “Darth Android”.
Chính quyền và xã hội dân sự
Google đã nhiều lần tuân thủ khi các chính quyền độc tài yêu cầu gỡ ứng dụng. Với chương trình này, phần mềm vận hành các thiết chế của một quốc gia sẽ phải phụ thuộc vào thiện chí của một tập đoàn nước ngoài duy nhất, không chịu trách nhiệm trước công chúng.
EFF gọi việc kiểm soát cổng ứng dụng là “một con đường ngày càng mở rộng dẫn tới kiểm duyệt Internet.”
“Lối thoát” của Google thực ra là cửa sập
Google nói rằng “người dùng nâng cao” “vẫn có thể cài” ứng dụng chưa xác minh. Nhưng thực tế sẽ như sau:
- Mò vào Cài đặt hệ thống, tìm 'Tùy chọn nhà phát triển'
- Nhấn vào số bản dựng bảy lần để bật Chế độ nhà phát triển
- Bỏ qua các màn hình cảnh báo gây sợ hãi về ép buộc
- Nhập mã PIN
- Khởi động lại thiết bị
- Chờ 24 tiếng (một ngày!)
- Quay lại và bỏ qua thêm các màn hình cảnh báo khác
- Chọn “cho phép tạm thời” (7 ngày) hoặc “cho phép vô thời hạn”
- Xác nhận thêm một lần nữa rằng bạn hiểu “rủi ro”
Chín bước. Bắt buộc chờ 24 tiếng. Chỉ để cài phần mềm trên thiết bị bạn sở hữu.
Tệ hơn nữa: toàn bộ luồng này chạy qua Google Play Services, không phải hệ điều hành Android. Google có thể thay đổi, siết chặt hoặc xóa nó bất cứ lúc nào, không cần cập nhật hệ điều hành và không cần sự đồng ý của người dùng.
Chuyện này lớn hơn Android
Nếu Google có thể khóa ngược hàng tỷ thiết bị từng được bán ra như những nền tảng mở, mọi hãng phần cứng trên hành tinh này đều đang quan sát.
Nguyên tắc đang được thiết lập là: công ty sản xuất thiết bị của bạn có quyền quyết định, sau khi bạn đã mua thiết bị, phần mềm nào bạn được phép chạy. Trong phần mềm, chuyện này gọi là “rug pull”; nhưng ít nhất bạn vẫn có thể cài phần mềm cạnh tranh. Với phần cứng, đây là một fait accompli: một việc đã rồi, tước đi quyền tự quyết của bạn và đặt bạn dưới ý muốn của một kẻ gác cổng duy nhất, không chịu trách nhiệm trước ai, lại còn là một bên đã bị kết luận độc quyền.
Sự mở của Android chưa bao giờ chỉ là một tính năng. Đó là lời hứa khiến Android khác với iPhone. Hàng triệu người chọn Android chính vì lý do đó. Giờ Google đang đơn phương rút lại lời hứa ấy trên những thiết bị đã nằm trong túi người dùng, vì họ cho rằng mình đã có đủ sức mạnh thị trường và đủ lợi thế pháp lý để làm vậy mà không phải trả giá.
Ars Technica: “Cơn ghen tị Apple của Google đe dọa phá vỡ di sản mở của Android.”
Nhưng khoan, chẳng phải đây là...
"...chỉ để bảo mật thôi sao?"
Lý do bảo mật chỉ là màn khói. Google Play Protect vốn đã quét phần mềm độc hại độc lập với danh tính của nhà phát triển. Yêu cầu giấy tờ tùy thân do nhà nước cấp không làm mã nguồn an toàn hơn. Nó chỉ khiến nhà phát triển dễ bị nhận diện và kiểm soát hơn. Người viết mã độc vẫn có thể đăng ký. Nhà phát triển độc lập và người bất đồng chính kiến thì nhiều khi không thể. EFF nói thẳng: kiểm soát dựa trên danh tính là công cụ kiểm duyệt, không phải công cụ bảo mật.
"...vẫn sideload được nếu dùng luồng nâng cao mà?"
Chín bước, chờ 24 tiếng, bị giấu trong Tùy chọn nhà phát triển, lại chạy qua một dịch vụ độc quyền mà Google có thể thu hồi bất cứ lúc nào. Đó không phải sideloading. Đó là một cơ chế gây nản được thiết kế để gần như không ai đi hết quy trình. Và vì nó chạy qua Play Services thay vì hệ điều hành, Google có thể âm thầm siết chặt hoặc xóa hẳn nó.
"...chỉ là vấn đề nếu bạn có cần giấu giếm thôi mà?"
Người tố giác, nhà báo và nhà hoạt động dưới các chính quyền độc tài sẽ là những nạn nhân đầu tiên. Tiếp theo là những người đang ở trong tình huống bị bạo hành gia đình. Tất cả những nhóm này đều có lý do chính đáng để phân phối hoặc sử dụng phần mềm mà không phải đưa danh tính pháp lý của mình vào cơ sở dữ liệu của Google. Đóng góp mã nguồn mở ẩn danh là một truyền thống còn lâu đời hơn cả Google. Chính sách này sẽ chấm dứt điều đó trên Android.
"...cũng giống Apple thôi mà?"
Apple là một khu vườn có tường bao ngay từ ngày đầu. Người ta chọn Android vì nó khác. “Apple cũng làm vậy” là một cuộc đua xuống đáy và là một lập luận tu quoque yếu. Hơn nữa, dưới áp lực quản lý như Đạo luật Thị trường Kỹ thuật số của EU, ngay cả Apple cũng đang bị buộc phải mở ra. Google thì đi theo hướng ngược lại: cố củng cố thêm vị thế gác cổng của mình.
"...chỉ 25 đô và làm giấy tờ thôi mà?"
Có thể là vậy, nếu bạn là một nhà phát triển ở Mỹ, có thẻ tín dụng và bằng lái xe. Nhưng hãy thử là một học sinh ở châu Phi hạ Sahara, một người bất đồng chính kiến ở Myanmar, hoặc một tình nguyện viên đang duy trì ứng dụng y tế cộng đồng. Cái giá không chỉ là tiền: bạn đang giao giấy tờ tùy thân do nhà nước cấp và bằng chứng về khóa ký của mình cho một công ty thường xuyên tuân thủ yêu cầu của chính phủ về việc gỡ ứng dụng và lộ danh tính nhà phát triển.
Phản ứng lại
Mọi người
- Cài F-Droid trên mọi thiết bị Android bạn có. Các kho ứng dụng thay thế chỉ sống được nếu có người thật sự dùng chúng.
- Liên hệ cơ quan quản lý. Cơ quan quản lý trên khắp thế giới đang thực sự lo ngại về độc quyền và việc tập trung quyền lực trong lĩnh vực công nghệ. Họ cần nghe trực tiếp từ những người bị ảnh hưởng và quan tâm.
- Chia sẻ trang này. Đưa link keepandroidopen.org lên mọi nơi.
- Phản bác các nhóm dựng dư luận giả. Đám “thật ra thì...” đang xuất hiện rất nhiều. Đừng để họ dẫn dắt câu chuyện.
- Ký kiến nghị trên change.org và tham gia cùng hơn 100.000 người đã lên tiếng.
- Đọc và chia sẻ thư ngỏ của chúng tôi
- Nói cho Google biết bạn nghĩ gì thông qua khảo sát xác minh nhà phát triển của chính họ — dù hiệu quả đến đâu thì còn phải xem.
Nhà phát triển
ĐỪNG ĐĂNG KÝ. Đừng tham gia chương trình bằng cách đăng ký Android Developer Console và chấp nhận Điều khoản & Điều kiện không thể rút lại của họ. Đừng xác minh danh tính. Đừng chơi theo luật của họ.
Kế hoạch của Google chỉ thành công nếu nhà phát triển chịu tuân theo. Đừng làm vậy.
- Thuyết phục các nhà phát triển và tổ chức khác đừng đăng ký.
- Thêm thư viện FreeDroidWarn vào ứng dụng của bạn để cảnh báo người dùng.
- Có website? Thêm banner đếm ngược.
Nhân viên Google
Nếu bạn biết thông tin về cách chương trình này được triển khai về mặt kỹ thuật hoặc lý do nội bộ đứng sau nó, hãy liên hệ tips@keepandroidopen.org từ một máy không dùng cho công việc và một tài khoản không phải Gmail. Chúng tôi cam kết bảo mật tuyệt đối.
Tất cả những bên phản đối...
71 tổ chức từ 23 quốc gia đã ký thư ngỏ
The Digital Rights Foundation digitalrightsfoundation.pk
Nextcloud nextcloud.com
Techlore techlore.tech
ARTICLE 19 article19.org
FUTO futo.org
Proton AG proton.me
The Calyx Institute calyx.org
La Quadrature du Net laquadrature.net
Rocky Linux rockylinux.org
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) eff.org
Fundación Karisma karisma.org.co
FACiL facil.qc.ca
The Chaos Computer Club (CCC) ccc.de
/e/ Foundation e.foundation
FOSDEM fosdem.org
April april.org
GNU/Linux València gnulinuxvalencia.org
Software Liberty Association of Taiwan slat.org.tw
Digital Rights Watch digitalrightswatch.org.au
GitHub Store github-store.org
OpenMedia openmedia.org
epicenter.works – for digital rights epicenter.works
iodé iode.tech
FULU Foundation fulu.org
Digitale Gesellschaft digitale-gesellschaft.ch
The Free Software Foundation (FSF) fsf.org
Software Freedom Conservancy sfconservancy.org
MetaBrainz Foundation metabrainz.org
The Center for Digital Progress (D64) d-64.org
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) beuc.eu
Data Rights datarights.ngo
Cryptee crypt.ee
F-Droid f-droid.org
GNOME Foundation gnome.org
Open Rights Group (ORG) openrightsgroup.org
UnifiedPush unifiedpush.org
Forbrukerrådet forbrukerradet.no
Fedimedia fedimedia.it
European Digital Rights (EDRi) edri.org
Italian Linux Society ils.org
Technopolice Bruxelles technopolice.be
Brave brave.com
Rossmann Group rossmanngroup.com
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) fsfe.org
Associação Nacional para o Software Livre (ANSOL) ansol.org
Vivaldi Technologies AS vivaldi.com
CryptPad cryptpad.org Các bên đang nói gì
Báo công nghệ
"Open-Source Android Apps Threatened by Google's New Policy"
Datamation
"Google will verify Android developers distributing apps outside the Play store"
The Verge
"F-Droid Says Google Is Lying About the Future of Sideloading on Android"
How-To Geek
"Android app store provider Aptoide hits Google with fresh lawsuit alleging monopoly and anticompetitive chokehold"
Benzinga
"Google's new developer rules could threaten sideloading and F-Droid's future"
Gizmochina
"Keep Android Open"
Linux Magazine
"'Keep Android Open' Movement Challenges Google's Developer Verification Rule"
Open Source For U
"Keep Android Open – Abwehr gegen Verbot anonymer Apps von Google"
heise online
"Android, Epic, and What's Really Behind Google's 'Existential' Threat to F-Droid"
Slashdot
"Google's Attack on Sideloading Will Rob Android of One of Its Best Features"
How-To Geek
"Google's Attack on Sideloading Will Rob Android of One of Its Best Features"
How-To Geek
"Google will require developer verification to install Android apps, including sideloading"
9to5Google
"F-Droid Says Google Is Lying About the Future of Sideloading on Android"
How-To Geek
"Android's sideloading limits are its most anti-consumer move yet"
MakeUseOf
"Resistance to Google's Android verification grows among developers"
Techzine EU
"Open-Source Android Apps at Risk Under Google's New Decree"
TechRepublic
"Sideloading on Android? Soon It'll Be Like a TSA Check for Apps"
Android Headlines
"Google's dev registration plan 'will end the F-Droid project'"
The Register
"F-Droid Slams Google for Misleading Users About Android's App Verification"
Android Headlines
"Sideloading is dead for all intents and purposes. The Android you know and love is slowly disappearing."
Android Police
"Google is restricting one of Android's most important features, and users are outraged"
SlashGear
"Google's developer registration 'decree' means the end for alternative app stores"
Cybernews
"Google will make you wait 24 hours to sideload Android apps"
How-To Geek
"Google plans to block side-loading like Apple, declaring war on Android freedom"
Tuta Blog
"Google will require developer verification for Android apps outside the Play Store"
TechCrunch
"An 'existential' threat to alternative app stores"
The New Stack
"It effectively makes the Play Store a monopoly without actually mandating that it is a monopoly."
I-Programmer
"Open letter warns mandatory registration 'threatens innovation, competition, privacy and user freedom'"
Infosecurity Magazine
"I've been an Android user for almost 15 years -- and Google's sideloading changes are pushing me back to iPhone"
Tom's Guide
"We all know that's a load of bullshit. Adding a goddamn 24-hour waiting period is batshit insanity."
Thom Holwerda, OSnews
"Google's Apple envy threatens to dismantle Android's open legacy"
Ars Technica
"Google's New Developer Rules Threaten to End the F-Droid Open-Source App Store"
How-To Geek
"Google's Requirement For All Android Developers To Register And Be Verified Threatens To Close Down Open Source App Store F-Droid"
Techdirt
"F-Droid project threatened by Google's new dev registration rules"
Bleeping Computer
"I've been an Android user for almost 15 years -- and Google's sideloading changes are pushing me back to iPhone"
Tom's Guide
"Sideloading on Android? Soon It'll Be Like a TSA Check for Apps"
Android Headlines
"Google says it's making Android sideloading 'high-friction' to better warn users about potential risks"
XDA Developers
"This will wipe out Android as an actual alternative to Apple's mobile OS offerings."
Hackaday
"Android Security or Vendor Lock-In? Google's New Sideloading Rules Smell Fishy"
It's FOSS News
"Google kneecaps indie Android devs, forces them to register"
The Register
"Google Clamps down On Android's Openness"
Internet Freedom Foundation (India)
"Google's new ID requirements could destroy independent app stores"
TechSpot
"F-Droid says Google's new sideloading restrictions will kill the project"
Ars Technica
"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
"Google's New Developer ID Rule Could Harm F-Droid"
Reclaim The Net
Bình luận & phân tích
"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 is a form of malicious compliance with the court orders stemming from its losses to Epic Games."
Cory Doctorow, Pluralistic
"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
"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
"Freedom of choice is being reframed as a 'security risk.'"
Newsfangled
"The requirement extends Google's gatekeeping authority from its own Play Store to every alternative distribution channel on Android."
LLM Advocates
"One US corporation is placing itself between every Android developer and every Android user on earth."
PixelUnion
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"Every additional bureaucratic hurdle reduces diversity in the software ecosystem and concentrates power in large established players."
Mikhail Korotaev, Nextcloud Blog
"Android does not just warn anymore. It enforces."
Youssef Mabrouk, Ostorlab
"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
"This is not a developer account sign-up. This is comprehensive surveillance of the software development ecosystem."
PixelUnion
"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
"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 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
"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
"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'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
"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
"What student is going to upload their passport to a trillion-dollar surveillance corporation just to share their weekend project?"
fireborn, mataroa.blog
"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
"Centralizing the registration of all applications worldwide gives Google newfound powers to completely disable any app it wants."
Mikhail Korotaev, Nextcloud Blog
"Android is no longer the scrappy rebel. It's just another empire tightening the drawbridge."
Newsfangled
"Google's move is not credibly about 'security,' but actually about consolidating power and tightening control over a formerly open ecosystem."
Techdirt
"Android wasn't supposed to be 'safe.' It was supposed to be free."
fireborn, mataroa.blog
"This could turn Google into the effective gatekeeper for all apps on certified Android devices."
It's FOSS News
"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
"Google has not removed Android's openness, but it is turning openness from a default right into a conditional, attributable, and tiered capability."
MerchMindAI
Tổ chức & thư ngỏ
"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
"Android's biggest strength has always been its openness. That's what attracted developers and users in the first place."
AdGuard
"Forcing software creators into a centralized registration scheme is as egregious as forcing writers and artists to register with a central authority."
F-Droid
"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
"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
"Nearly 50 organizations published an open letter opposing what they characterize as a 'kill switch for the open ecosystem.'"
Tech-ish Kenya
"Ultimately, Google's plan will stop you from owning your Android phone."
Tuta
"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
"MEP Christel Schaldemose formally questioned whether Google's mandatory central registration is compatible with the Digital Markets Act."
European Parliament
"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
"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
"Centralised, intransparent security architectures certainly help secure monetization and the market by locking out competitors."
Nextcloud
"We unequivocally advise against signing up for this program, now or ever."
F-Droid Open Letter
"The European Pirate Party called for proportionate and transparent measures that ensure security without restricting innovation, limiting anonymity, or distorting competition."
European Pirate Party
"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
"Google is turning Android into a walled garden monopoly. We must prevent it."
Osservatorio Nessuno
"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
"Unilaterally consolidating power to approve software into the hands of a single unaccountable corporation is a threat to digital sovereignty everywhere."
Nextcloud
"Remember: It's your phone, your data, your freedom. Don't let Google take it away."
Tuta
"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
"We are running out of time until Google becomes the gate-keeper of all users devices."
F-Droid
"Verification just confirms who's behind the app, it doesn't guarantee clean code or rule out malicious behavior."
AdGuard
"Independent software distribution on Android will now require Google's explicit permission."
AdGuard
"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
"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
"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
"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
"While Android used to be praised for its freedom and independence, it will become a closed shop just like Apple."
Tuta
"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
"Your Smartphone, Their Rules: How App Stores Enable Corporate-Government Censorship."
ACLU
"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
"Google Play itself has repeatedly hosted malware, proving that corporate gatekeeping doesn't guarantee user protection."
F-Droid
YouTuber & nhà sáng tạo nội dung
"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
"Google is removing the one key advantage Android has over iOS."
SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – 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
"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
"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
"Developers of privacy-focused tools and emulators will have to dox themselves, making them vulnerable to government agencies or legal action."
SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube
"Your device, their rules. The phone you bought and paid for is no longer really yours."
Tuta Blog – Blog
"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
"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
"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
"That's not openness. That is control."
ChiefGyk3D – 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
"Google decides what's safe for you, and you don't get a say."
fireborn – Blog
"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
"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 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
"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
"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
"Android has become what they set out to destroy."
Linus Sebastian, LMG Clips – YouTube
"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
"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
"When you download applications, you've simply installed an application. I don't want to use words like 'sideload.'"
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
"If I'm going to be trapped in a walled garden anyway, I'll take the one that's built properly."
fireborn – Blog
"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
"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
Nhà phát triển & cộng đồng
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"Give me liberty or give me Symbian."
masterofn001, Lemmy
"The war on General Purpose Computing is the death of innovation and a direct attack on digital freedom."
layfellow, Hacker News
"Google seems to actively hate people who develop for their platforms."
hbn, 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
"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
"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
"Android is for everyone, provided they submit to Google exclusively."
gumby271, 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
"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
"Google's plan to require developer verification would give Google and governments the ability to ban any app."
Zak, Hacker News
"The open Android I knew and loved is long gone."
girvo, Hacker News
"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
"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
"Play store is full of scam apps, F-Droid isn't, but Play Store is considered secure. It's all theatre."
gcupc, Lobsters
"'Sideload' is like 'jaywalking'; seeks to stigmatize humans being human."
tejtm, Hacker News
"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
"It took them 17 years to finally pull the cage all the way shut."
Apocryphon, Hacker News
"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
"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
"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
"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
"Brazil government app refuses to operate with developer mode on."
flykespice (developer in Brazil), Hacker News
"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
"You have no right telling me what I can and cannot run on my own devices."
MrZander, 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
"Google wants the authority of a gatekeeper without the overhead of human accountability."
afferi300rina, Hacker News
"Social engineering is destroyed with education, not with restriction and control. Trading freedom for safety eliminates both."
survirtual, Hacker News
"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
"Once deployed, there's a near 100% chance of such a mechanism being used for evil."
Zak, Lemmy
"Google now has a flag on my phone they can control remotely to keep me from accessing the apps I want."
vala, Lemmy
"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
"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
"It's not cyclic. It's a ratchet and it gets tighter and tighter."
BenjaminRi, Lobsters
"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
"Android was never actually open and now they are abandoning even the thin pretense."
Tiraon, Tildes
"Signal, VPNs -- they'll have a list of everyone opting out of government-mandated backdoors."
Max-P, 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
"For 'security' -- always security with these assholes. They're just building the walls of the walled garden higher."
lynxy, Tildes
"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
"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
"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
"All the banking and payment apps in India refuse to open if you have developer mode on."
nibbleyou (developer in India), 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
"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
"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
"They're boiling the frog -- slowly removing features until all choice is gone."
hn92726819, Hacker News
"They have stolen a free product and are now actively locking out the people who built it."
TheTearMiser, Lemmy
"The phrase 'sideload' is psychological propaganda we are all best off rejecting."
WaffleMonster, Slashdot
"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
"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
"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
"We are talking about something categorically worse than vendor lock-in: Collective vendor lock-in."
anordal, Lobsters
Ý kiến từ kiến nghị
"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
"The only reason I use android is for the freedoms that it brought, allowing for FOSS apps is literally they only thing that separates you from apple!! "
Joseph, change.org
"I got an Android tablet for the freedom it offered over an ios device such as ipads and iphones. If Google's going to lock the system down anyway, I might as well buy a touchscreen for a Raspberry Pi and repurpose it instead of using Android in the future. "
Timothy, change.org
"Jesus christ google you want to drive away your entire customer base? You realize that the only reason we don't buy iphones is because they don't give us this freedom that Android does. I know you think no one can touch your multi billion dollar empire but know that you have that data because of us. The customers. NO ONE ASKED FOR THIS, NO ONE WANTS THIS. First you "detected root" then you "implemented safety net" then you implemented "play integrity and certification" just pushing and pushing and pushing developers to bow down to you. And now this? No. You aren't staying on top forever. Think very carefully if this is the road you want to tread because we will all leave. And it won't be just Android. Alternative search engines exist. Alternative emails exist. Alternative cloud storage exists. We don't have to bow down to Google. If you do this, it's over. "
Genalio, change.org
"This is the only reason android is better than android "
David, change.org
"it's crazy that they're doing this . It was the only reason i chose "google" android in the 1st place, because of it's semi open nature "
jamie, change.org
"Google, let us keep being able to install whatever we want on our own devices. Otherwise there isn't really a reason to NOT get an iPhone because your platform isn't really open anymore. Don't alienate a large portion of your tech savvy customers and developers. Eliminating the possibility for people to write and distribute their own apps would harm the Android ecosystem. You would kill the pipeline for new developers to work their way up to creating the next big thing and your marketshare would suffer as a result. "
Sam, change.org
"Google’s success with Android has always been built on the foundation of an open ecosystem. I am signing this petition to urge Google to preserve the right to sideload applications and install APKs. Restricting this functionality would significantly limit user autonomy, stifle innovation from independent developers, and consolidate control in a way that goes against the spirit of the platform. Android should remain a tool that gives power to its users, not one that restricts their ability to choose where their software comes from. Please keep Android open "
Pablo, change.org
"As an iPhone user, Android's ability to sideload apps was the single reason I purchased an Android tablet instead of an iPad. Now that this is going away, Google can go away because they're no different than an Apple phone now. "
Robert, change.org
"#NoMoreCensorship "
Russell, change.org
"Either way this is going to lead to a massive lawsuit My phone is my device Google doesn't own it nor does it have the power to tell me what I can and can't install on the device that I own Google believes that it rules the world it's censorship completely destroyed YouTube now they plan to destroy Android in the same way but $1,000 says by this time next year Google will cave to the demands of the people "
Isaiah, change.org
"Assuming Google is acting in good faith, they should respect users' intelligence and not lock down APK usage into a heavily regulated part of the internet. "
Noah, change.org
"I’m not sure how Google arrived at this decision. Android’s openness is the very foundation of its existence. If Android is no longer open, I think I would choose iOS for its more cohesive ecosystem. In reality, the Play Protect mechanism has very limited ability to guard against malicious software and does not improve the user experience. On the contrary, it would exacerbate the monopoly of the software ecosystem, add to the burden on individual developers and small gaming companies, and could be devastating to the entire ecosystem. I often download games from itch.io and useful tools from GitHub, and if this policy is implemented, these activities will no longer be convenient. Perhaps this is a fine example of Google’s contribution to a global anti-addiction mechanism for smartphones. "
Yi, change.org
"For longer than I can remember, I have cherished Android's openness, the ability to side-load APKs, access to F-Droid and related means of acquiring open-source and ad-free apps. But now, here we go again with another Big Tech bait-and-switch: Android's appeal has always been it's open nature; Google captures it, promising it will not violate the fundamental openness of Android's operating system; next thing we know, Google announces it will indeed violate everything Android developers, users, and community members hold dear. Google: We are all so tired of paying to have our freedoms restricted on top of being the objects of mass surveillance. We are sick of purchasing over $1000 devices, only to have our fundamental rights to our own bought property be curtailed and our privacy interests betrayed. We will not continue to fund this behavior. Google must make a public, righteous, and inviolable commitment to keep Android devices *at least as open as they are now*. If it does not, it will be Google that feels the pinch of being locked out. "
Brian, change.org
"Android shines in giving the user freedom to use their devices however they choose to. If Google closes down on this freedom, in my use case as a power user I will be unable to install apps any except from the play store which is a platform that is littered with bad app that are useless and sometimes they cost money making it unnecessarily difficult for Indy devs working on apps whether it for job or weekend project "
Cristian, change.org
"I've used side loading a number of times in the past to load 3rd party developed apps. Not supporting this will make me seriously reconsider other phones and OS "
Richard, 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 use android for one and one singular reason. Freedom. If I download malware, that's my own damn fault! Being "approved" by google just means following their political agenda, never these protective measures mean anything good. We didn't asked for this, no consumer wants this, WE DON'T NEED PROTECTION. WE. AREN'T. CHILDREN! "
Henrique, change.org
"Motivations drive actions. Any sincere reason to change other than power or greed? The app system works extremely well 'as is' so why should any group want this to change? Can only see harder times ahead for all - your kids for certain - if Google is allowed to do 'ruin, injury, pain, or harm': the definition of evil. Right now, the environment is lush for all - particularly Google - if all remains open. There is no good reason change. Motivations drive actions. "
D., change.org
"The transformation of Android into a closed platform would likely erode its competitive advantage over Apple, potentially positioning Apple as the superior option. As an open-source project, Android should ideally operate without the necessity of governmental or private authorizations. Should Google proceed with such a change, it is highly probable that new operating systems will emerge. These decisions by Google could result in significant detriments to the company without yielding any discernible benefits. As a shareholder, I strongly recommend that Google refrain from pursuing this course of action. I oppose any initiative that would necessitate third-party authorization upon installing and operating applications for the Android platform, as this represents a threat to consumers and creators alike, and moves us closer to a monopolistic market. "
Pedro, change.org
"가장 큰 강점을 내다버리는 행위이다. 인증을 핑계로 얼마나 많은 컨텐츠들이 접근 불가능해질지 생각하면 크게 걱정이다. "
CH, 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
"With Google aiming to lockdown Android, what makes it any different than Apple? The only reason I and many others opt for Android is because it's openness! "
Christian, change.org
"Dude just stop stealing our personal information already please. -_- "
Evan, 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
"This is a clear grab at power over Android's massive userbase to manipulate the masses via censorship and mass surveillance. If this isn't stopped, they will only push the rules further and further until the slope is so slippery it becomes a cliff. "
Boris, change.org
"Big tech is trying to collectively normalize mass surveillance requiring government ID's for everything and saying "it's for our safety". It is NOT about anyone's safety. "
Amélie, change.org
"I do not like doing this to Google but if I have to I will format my phone and I will switch it over to Kiley "
Jonathan, change.org
"Big tech companies are more and more trying to restrict users and make them use their services. Anti-competitive practices are bad for the market and for the end user, so i definitely DO NOT support what google is doing. "
QByte, change.org
"Sick and tired of Google's garbage. "
Gabriel, change.org
"Dear Google, As a life-long Android user, the perspective of this program ever coming into place is simply devastating. The Android Project was built with the promise of open-source software, community-driven development and digital freedom at its core. This promise has been a vital part of its success, from its humble beginnings to the widely popular and prolific ecosystem we have today. Any measure that does not fully respect these core values is a direct threat to the Android Project as a whole and a betrayal of its community. I believe the "Android developer verification requirements" program as it stands is such a measure. Therefore, I urge everybody involved at Google to seriously reconsider this program to the benefit of the Android Project and its community. Sincerely- "
Yoann, change.org
"Android has always stood for freedom, openness, and user choice. Blocking APKs goes against the very spirit of what makes Android great. Users should have the right to install the apps they want, from the sources they trust, not just from one store. Limiting APKs doesn’t make Android safer; it only takes control away from users and developers alike. Keep Android open. Keep Android free.Android has always stood for freedom, openness, and user choice. Blocking APKs goes against the very spirit of what makes Android great. Users should have the right to install the apps they want, from the sources they trust, not just from one store. Limiting APKs doesn’t make Android safer; it only takes control away from users and developers alike. Keep Android open. Keep Android free. "
Pedro, change.org
"Please don't limit the choice of those users who are either more technically inclined or simply need to use an app that isn't available on a store or signed by a registered developer. This is the kind of thing that really makes me sad. The flexibility of Android is gradually getting chipped away. First you take steps to make it incredibly difficult to have a usable experience on a rooted device via Play Integrity Services, and now you're going to take away our choice to sideload on devices that are supposedly "secure" as well? This is so anti-consumer and so against the spirit of freedom that Android afforded for those who didn't want to be locked in that I just can't find any way to justify it. How can you? "
Dustin, change.org
"I have a bunch of applications that are not on the Google Play Store that I would lose access to if this feature were to be removed. Security Concerns are not a reason to screw over your customers, and just like you and me, we're all people too. People have the right for freedom, and you're revoking that freedom from the devices that we bought and paid for with our own money. This is extremely monopolistic and anti-competitive. There is now essentially no competition between iOS and Android Devices if this feature gets removed. You are doing a disservice to the entire existence of Android by removing this feature. This hurts more than it helps. "
C., change.org
"Love android because its open source, you're literally killing your base and the reason why people love android. Close it down and we will all find a better solution "
Courtney, 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
"To put it simply, the Android user experience has always been about the ability to express yourself, experimentation and creative freedom. Why squash that? What are you actually gaining? You'll lose a massive user base for the sake of what, "control"? "
Phil, change.org
"This is the main appeal of android to me. Having the freedom with my own device that I paid for instead of being limited. "
Joshua, change.org
"The entire reason I used to use Android was because of how open it was. I used to be a staunch supporter of Android and even encouraged others to give it a shot. By restricting third-party app installations, it will be similar to iOS, but without any of it's closed environment benefits. Furthermore, this may further encourage users to explore other OS's such as LineageOS or GrapheneOS, rendering any supposed benefits moot. I am personally looking to switch my Android OS to GrapheneOS once this update becomes live. Android was always the best choice in freedom and ownership. This will be a serious mistake on Google's part, similar to Microsoft forcing Copilot on users. "
Areeb, change.org
"I think the freedom to have a choice on this matter is important, not just because there is a case to make regarding unsupported products let alone possible monopoly concerns, but also because there is a major issue regarding the freedom of choice on this matter that I think should not be taken away as an option for consumers. "
Ronald, change.org
"Ts need to be stopped "
danilao, change.org
"We people should have a choice in what we download. There are real, legit developers out there that google is trying to push out. This isn't for your safety, google wants to choose for you what you're allowed to download. Google doesn't care what is safe for you, they want to silence and push out developers they don't like. "
UsagiMomo/SquishyCat/MayNayeo, change.org
"As a regular user of Fdroid and other app stores, I want to be able to continue using my devices that I paid good money for to use the apps that I want to use! Stop this locking down of Android immediately! "
Jolene, change.org
"After this decision I will just go with iPhone, this was the only reason I was using Android, just making it worse for the consumer, this is not about security but locking down people's choice of store, which in my opinion should be illegal give that we bought our phones and we should be able to do with them as we please "
Colin, change.org
"Google sucks if it changes android and will burn! "
Gage, change.org
"This new policy is absurd and should never go into effect. Android's "openness" has always been a big selling point, and now they are trying to take that from everyone. "
Leonardo, change.org
"As a CS Professional and recent CS Grad, the flexibility for Android to allow us to share hobby project apps with friends and family who also use Android is a vital part of the learning experience and what makes Android unique. Requiring paid verification based on government ID will have a stifling effect that will make Android loose the open nature that set it apart from Apple, which has been key to its success for many upcoming CS Students, and for many hobbiests that often lead to professional paths. "
Kyler, change.org
"In a time when a few big companies are controlling everything, having access to open source alternatives is more important than ever. We don't need more restrictions and less access. Right now you can come up with a great idea, create said idea, then share it with other android users. The only barriers are your own willingness to learn. But google is trying to destroy what makes android great! Don't let it happen. Sign the petition, make noise on social media, boycott if it comes to it. Don't let the people at the top continue taking away and restricting things we love and need. It can feel like they're untouchable. But they rely on us for that power and control. If enough people resist they will revert the planned changes. Because in the end we're the consumer and all they care about is "the numbers go up". They need us for that. "
Anthony, change.org
"Because we have no more free OS like android, so keep android open is very important, imo "
DeVaughn, change.org
"The ONLY reason why i stay with android is because of the freedom. That is literally the only thing that makes android stand out compared to apple and is the reason why I stayed with android my whole life . If this change does happen and that freedom gets taken away . Im definitely going to switch to apple as there is no reason to entertain android/google anymore . Google , take note of your communities feelings on this matter and understand the risks from an financial stand point on how negatively this will impact your sales. I'm flat out saying you will lose me at least who is a loyal android and google supporter. If im willing to leave , imagine the rest of the community. "
Vincenzo, change.org
"We want a free and open Android, or we'll choose a better platform. Android without free and anonymous apk's installation capabilities it's not Android anymore "
Peoplewant, change.org
"This would destroy a lot of unknown developers and other people who make great apps. "
Aidan, change.org
"I'm not even an Android app developer, but I've always wanted to be. Now, I'm not sure that I do. Making this change will mean that all apps will funnel through Google Play, which gives Google exclusive control and a censorship chokehold on the entire Android ecosystem. I shouldn't have to explain why that would not be good. The whole thing that made Android different from iOS is that it was OPEN. Now Google's just throwing that out of the window. At this point, I might just switch to iOS because Android has lost all of its character. "
Ethan, change.org
"Please reconsider "
Calvin, change.org
"This seems important not to let Google be the all powerful mega corp "
Adrian, change.org
"I use apps that I cannot find on the Google Play Store, Google restricting users to only the Play Store is not only bad, but a hindrance to myself as well since some of these apps I use are of every day use. Android was made to be an open source system since day one, and it needs to stay that way. "
Nova, change.org
"Asking an ID for everything is not different from China's ID Citizen Score This is clearly made with the intention to manipulate what people do and learn about "
Verónica, change.org
"I honestly don't understand why this even has to be petitioned for in the first place. It should be self-evident that it should be entirely up to the user what software should be installed on their own device. "
Patrick, change.org
"I signed this petition because Android’s strength has always been openness and user choice. Increasingly strict developer verification requirements risk pushing out independent and open-source developers who don’t operate as traditional businesses. Projects distributed through alternative app marketplaces like F-Droid are often volunteer-run, privacy-respecting, and community-driven. Burdensome verification rules disproportionately affect these small developers while large corporations can easily absorb the compliance costs. Security matters — but it shouldn’t come at the expense of innovation, competition, and open ecosystems. Android users deserve real choice, and independent developers deserve fair, proportionate requirements. I’m signing to support an open Android ecosystem for everyone. "
Luis, change.org
"Google is wrong to limit people installing whatever they want on what's supposed to be their phone. "
Spark, change.org
"By doing this you are signaling to everyone that you believe you control enough of the market to do what you want in the interest of control, money, and shareholder value. We'll show you that you're wrong. "
Willard, change.org
"We should be allowed to do what we want with the tools that we buy. "
kevin, change.org
"Removing side-loading is anti-user. I'm all for increasing security, and having various strange steps helps with that. You could even have a 1 minute subtitled video that has to play before you can confirm for the first time on a device that you want to side-load apps. But this change shows a lack of interest in users that inspires developers to not care about the Android ecosystem. If Google intends to significantly decrease the scope of Android, that signals that the maintenance costs are too high for Google, and thus, the company intends to let it rot and eventually die, much like many other Google things "
James, change.org
"I have always preferred Android phones over Apple phones, just for the freedom that Android gave to download applications without having to limit and control you all the time, but now Android wants to become an APPLE 2.0, if that happens I will throw away my Android phone and directly buy an iPhone, if it is going to have restrictions too, all bad Android 👎 "
Mauricio, change.org
"#NoMoreCorruption "
Russell, change.org
"Control. That is all this is. Protection is a word you use to hide your true intentions, google. Google promised a platform where everybody can choose what they want; Linux does this, Windows does this. But google chose to threaten the very way of technology. We as consumers want freedom over the products we purchase, not "protection" from things "outside" of our control or knowledge. "
Trevor, change.org
"Please don't do this, I have always been opposed to the apple mentality, I view this as my device and have loved the openness of the android ecosystem. I used to root my phones and load my own os, replace boot animations, design my own UI. Those are my fondest memories of owning an Android phone, I no longer do those things but I still occasionally side load an app, or go to FDroid, Amazon's app store, if you revoke my ability to do these things I can no longer argue against owning an iphone, as my biggest argument now is Google's android open ecosystem versus apples closed ecosystem. Don't be Apple, be Google, be better. "
Jake, change.org
"The Google need to stop "
ghost, change.org
"Apple would be the only entity to benefit from this change. The ability to side load apps and to support (and greatly benefit from) the FOSS community are the only meaningful reasons that anyone would choose to have an Android phone. "
Jake, change.org
"Removing a huge part of why people choose android is certainly a choice. "
Drae, change.org
"Keeping android open would be doing the right thing, if that is still the motto google believes in among hopefully not doing evil. I would hate to see the platform that prided itself on being open and lending itself to it's community of users and manufacturers, betray the very reason it built up the strong and varied ecosystem it is today. I would like strongly urge those in power of this decision to reconsider, not as a threat, but to see the something great, remain great. "
Kyle, change.org
"This is clearly a descision taken by Sundar Pichai for the financial profit of Google, it has literally nothing to do with security or safety of the users like Google claims, if it were so, there were many other ways to do this. I think people like me will just switch to iPhone at this point, as Google has decided to just kill Android's only major advantage. Such a shame. Android used to be a symbol of freedom and openness. "
Aurelian, change.org
"I use Android because of the freedom to customize and use my phone the way I want. I don't need Google telling me how to use my phone. "
Deja, change.org
"I am a lifelong android user who uses 3rd party apps and would lose much of the functionality of how I use my phone if this update goes through. I would likely stop using the app store and use platforms like F-Droid even more. "
Emily, change.org
"I do not need hpw to be told how to use my phone. If android goes through this Im downgrading to flip phones and will never use androids again. Ive never used Apple for this reason. Let me decide whats good or ill for myself, I am a grown autonomous human being and do not need to be kept "safe" by a large corporation, safe from what Im not even sure? Sounds like control not safety. "
Jake, change.org
"It would be a catastrophic degradation for quality of human life if portable computing were to become locked behind the domineering control of platform companies such as Google. It must be stopped. "
Edward, change.org
"I first switched over to a Samsung phone because of Android being a open OS. I love being able to make small apps for myself as a developer, and as a user I like that I can find small dev groups on places like GitHub making really cool and useful apps that you would never be able to find on the play store. "
Connor, change.org
"These proposed restrictions by Google are a threat to personal digital autonomy and to app development. "
Daniel, change.org
"This is the entire point of many people using Android in the first place, you take this away and something new will come along and replace you. "
Jacob, change.org
"The main advantage Android had over Apple was it's openness to alternative software other than the Play store. Take that away, and you just have a better battery. "
Zac, change.org
"I am a self-taught programmer. Without the ability to experiment I could have never learned anything. This change will utterly destroy Android by not only banning a ton of quality software from sources like F-Droid and GitHub, but will also keep the next generation of developers from being able to learn by experience. "
Wesley, change.org
"Android giving users choice has been the staple point of android OS. Removing choices like sideloading apps is not the move. I develop apps for myself, I do not want to be "an approved developer" I don't have time nor care for that. This action also is the beginning of censorship, and monopolization of android OS. Android started as an open operating system, you have simply turned it into a reskinned Apple OS. Your choice to go anti-consumer is going to hurt. You are not "protecting" anyone. ~Seth "
Nathan, change.org
"One of the reasons that people want to use Android is because of its freedom in installing apps. Locking it is like shooting your feet. "
John, change.org
"I do not trust the judgment of one company to decide what every person on Android is allowed to use on their phones. This is a censorship tactic, and will silence and punish small-time app developers who do not have the time or money to plead their case for the right to host their apps. "
Anna, change.org
"Android was built on FOSS foundations and this anti-consumer move goes against the guiding tenants of the OS and Google's mission. No-one who uses Android wants to see Google pervert it into a second-rate apple. This move is a violation of consumer faith and a bad long-term business decision. Revert it in it's entirety before you loose the core attraction of your product. "
Tate, change.org
"This is an attempt to stifle free and open development because that development has created avenues that subvert Google's bottom line. People are becoming tired of being the product and have the right to their privacy- but Google belives they have a right to force people to become said product by limiting where and how they use their devices. Buzz-words like "a more secure ecosystem" are used to hide their true initiative: their bottom line. Ironically, this corse of action may become the driving force that pushes Linux phones into full maturity, thus amputating the open-source-development community as revenue. I don't subsidize my mobile device purchases so that I may have full control over what I can do with them. Upon this move, I will gladly suffer the inconvenience of a less-mature operating system or less-developed device over a walled garden built by greed mascurading under the guise of "This is what will be best for everyone." "
Jake, change.org
"The main reason I've used Android over the years was the freedom to use it how I want including installing apps that are not on the app store. If this change goes through, I will start exploring options to move away from Android. "
Daniel, change.org
"Using Android has always meant having the freedom to customize your experience to your hearts content, this would be the end of an era. This would also be the end of many small app developers that can't or won't conform to the what one might say 'invasive' requirements to publish an app. You can say goodbye to FOSS and side loading which is a huge part of Android customization. "
sebastian, change.org
"Allow us beginning programmers get comfortable with writing scripts and getting used to a whole new set of rules without needing to have licenses that cost money. "
Wes, change.org
"The whole point of android was user choice. Remove that and you remove all incentive good luck with sales. "
Jason, change.org
"Our phones, our choice!!! "
Robert, change.org
"If Google goes through with this, there will be no more Free and Open Source Software on Android. This move by Google has nothing to do with malware, and everything to do with oversight and control. I bought this Android device specifically because it was sold to me as an open platform. If Google goes through with this, I will be throwing this device in the garbage and sending them an invoice for $600 "
Llywel, change.org
"This is a blatantly security washing a monopoly move to undermine the open internet and free access that grew Google to what it is today. If Google wants to be Apple it should produce Apple level products and services without being a leach. "
E, change.org
"Ready and willing to move to iOS permanently if this move to mandatory developer verification is not FULLY retracted by September 2026. "
Do Not, change.org
"If I choose to install a piece of software written by someone who "isn't verified" on my device that is my business, not Google's. To Google : Right now, one of the few remaining reasons I would choose an Android device over an iOS device is due to the presence of alternate app stores, like F-Droid that allow me to install open source apps. If I lose that ability, why would I continue to use Android over the competition? Don't be evil. "
Cameron, change.org
"We own the phones so we should be able to do whatever we want with them. Waiting a short period is not the way to do it. This feels like control and blocks. We are not kids. Please let us actually have control of our phones. "
nicholas, change.org
"As a regular user of APKs, I think this system is so much important for us, bc we need this. GOOGLE DON'T BAN APK "
Alison, change.org
"the staple and main "selling" point of android is how open and free it is. Without that it's no different than any other os. This decision is completely asinine on Google's part. "
Thomas, change.org
"Google detente. "
Angel Gabriel, change.org
"This would be removing a key benefit of android over apple. Having control over what is on your device should be a given to owning it as your personal property, and Google shouldn't have a say in what is and isn't allowed on your phone in any circumstance "
Ethan, change.org
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