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Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

9to5google.com

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Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

#71

Post by kllrnohj »

87636899376 wrote: post #14

Official announcement: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elevating-... More info: https://developer.android.com/developer-verification https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answ... Personally...we all know the Play Store is chock full of malicious garbage, so the verification requirements there don't do jack to protect users. The way I see it, this is nothing but a power grab, a way…

> But it's hidden, apparently because keeping users from using it to block ads on apps is of greater concern to Google than keeping people safe.

The internet permission has nothing to do with ads? It's a hidden permission because:

1) Internet connection is so ubiquitous as to just be noise if displayed

2) It's not robust, apps without Internet permission can still exfiltrate data relatively easily by bouncing off of other apps using Intents and similar

Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

#72

Post by croes »

JustExAWS wrote: post #66

While I like to jump on the Google bash train as much as anyone, this is to comply with EU laws. Apple implemented a similar change for the EU App Store earlier this year to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA), a regulation that now requires app developers to provide their “trader status” to submit new apps or app updates for distribution.

They usually fight harder against such laws if they don’t suit them.

Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

#74

Post by morsch »

JustExAWS wrote: post #66

While I like to jump on the Google bash train as much as anyone, this is to comply with EU laws. Apple implemented a similar change for the EU App Store earlier this year to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA), a regulation that now requires app developers to provide their “trader status” to submit new apps or app updates for distribution.

So they (or rather TC) claim. Does the DSA actually require it, though?

Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

#75

Post by EMIRELADERO »

Holy shit, going to the official page[1], there's something that is somehow even worse than the loss of freedom:

"You'll need to prove you own your apps by providing your app package name and app signing keys."

That is capital-I Insane.

[1] https://developer.android.com/developer-verification

Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

#76

Post by mvdtnz »

JustExAWS wrote: post #66

While I like to jump on the Google bash train as much as anyone, this is to comply with EU laws. Apple implemented a similar change for the EU App Store earlier this year to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA), a regulation that now requires app developers to provide their “trader status” to submit new apps or app updates for distribution.

There is no law in EU which requires Thailand-based developers to provide their trader status in order to serve Thai customers. Stop making shit up.

Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

#77

Post by logicchains »

Anyone even remotely privacy or security conscious needs to vote with their wallet in protest and stop buying Android phones, otherwise it's only a matter of time 'til Google bans side-loading and it becomes impossible to buy a phone that can run any kind of anonymous or end-to-end encrypted communication software.

Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

#79

Post by thayne »

gpm wrote: post #59

Google is doing everything in their power to make me move to an iphone... between shit like this, effectively bricking some old models of pixels with un-rollbackable patches that destroy batteries, closing down the android development process, making absurd testing requirements to publish apps, etc. Google doesn't make better phones, they were just less hostile to the consumer. That seems to be going away :(

As mentioned in OP, Apple is doing the same thing.

Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

#80

Post by gigel82 »

logicchains wrote: post #77

Anyone even remotely privacy or security conscious needs to vote with their wallet in protest and stop buying Android phones, otherwise it's only a matter of time 'til Google bans side-loading and it becomes impossible to buy a phone that can run any kind of anonymous or end-to-end encrypted communication software.

I'm curious what you think the alternative is, because Apple is definitely a lot worse, and we all know they're very much a duopoly.

BTW, all the GrapheneOS, etc. are still Android phones.

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