So that's how they kill newpipe.
Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
111–120 of 1001 posts
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#112Official 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…
It absolutely has to do with ads. While there are various ways to exfiltrate small amounts of data, the non-collaborative ones are rarely silent and most importantly, they won't let the app get responses (e.g. ads) back.
The main thing this permission would be used for would be blocking ads. Also distinguishing shitty apps that are full of ads from those that aren't. If there is a calculator that needs Internet and one that doesn't, which one are you going to use?
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#113It will be interesting to see how they handle packages from the various f-droid repos. F-droid builds and signs all their apps themselves, so will all of f-droid be covered by a single signing key and developer account? Or will the fact that they take apps from lots of folks bar them from an account?
F-Droid generates a unique key for each app and that key is then reused for all builds of that app. This will probably just require registering the F-Droid public key to the package name with Google.
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#114The problem here is that the EU, which would normally be the only hope to put a stop to bullshit like this, seems to like this.
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Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#115I've grown increasingly hateful towards both my Android and iOS devices over the last decade. The platforms themselves are increasingly user-hostile, and their appstores are crammed full of shitty, privacy-invading, telemetry-hoovering, dopamine-triggering, ad-filled, lipstick-covered apps that are often garbage compared to the pioneering days of mobile. I miss the days of my old Palm Pilot.
Is anyone working on fixing this? We can do so much better.
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#116[deleted]
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#117Fuck google.
This combined with the 'age verification' coming to all Google properties means it is a very small step from that new world to full Google verification of everything you visit and everything on your device, at any time, for any reason with the penalty being incontestable ban from your device, apps and data.
Get ready for facebook style 'we are interrupting you for a video selfie because we have detected you are a threat' across all google properties (Android, Chrome, Gmail, Maps...).
Move to linux phones, now.
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#118> developers will have the same freedom to distribute their apps directly to users through sideloading or to use any app store they prefer. We believe this is how an open system should work—by preserving choice while enhancing security for everyone I guess words don't don't have meaning anymore, how can you claim to have an open system in an announcement about closing it down? It's also telling that the big supporter…
The Developer's Alliance address is a coworking space in Washington DC, if you want to rate the likelihood it's just an astroturf for public tech policy wonks.
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#119They have the ecosystem by the balls. Phone manufacturers in recent years have been making unlocking & modifying their devices more and more difficult, google and app developers have been cracking down harder on modded devices by implementing TPM equivalents in the hardware to sign and verify that your system is a google-appproved one, and alternatives still are decades behind in terms of app ecosystem. I think they…
I don't think Google can be blamed for this - their own phones are one of the last which can still be unlocked.
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#120> The requirement will go into effect in September 2026 for users in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Google notes how these countries have been “specifically impacted by these forms of fraudulent app scams.” Verification will then apply globally from 2027 onwards.
At least most of the world has until 2027 to install LineageOS or GrapheneOS.