Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection • Hacker News Board

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#21

Post by jb282 » Thu, Jul 02, 2026, 6:50 AM UTC

stingraycharles wrote: post #17

econ wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought the same thing but he apparently has a point. The stated purpose covers only a tiny sliver of the capabilities. The agreement points to the TOS where it (last time I looked) says service may be terminated at any time without stating a reason. Nothing guarantees it won't be used for things other than security. And finally he has a point where it also doesn't really do much for security. If we ask their fine…

Isn’t Google going to do what Apple has been doing since forever? Or is Google somehow doing something worse?

Apple's policies were established when you purchased the phone. Apps come through registered developers and their vetting.

Google has changed the game on something you already own. I'm sure their lawyers have done their homework, but in some jurisdictions this is certainly actionable.

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#22

Post by preisschild » Thu, Jul 02, 2026, 6:51 AM UTC

khurs wrote: post #19

Android users need to switch to Graphene. Someone needs to create a Linux based mobile OS foundation - Google's domination is contrary to many large companies interests, and if Meta and many other such companies were approached, they may well donate large sums of money in their own strategic interests.

I wonder if it makes sense to create an independent hard-fork of AOSP in the future. But probably the only option to keep this somehow maintainable is to replace many android-specific components with other userspace linux components that are already well maintained (systemd, networkmanager, wayland)

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#23

Post by foxrider » Thu, Jul 02, 2026, 6:54 AM UTC

This would be the line for me. If at some point I'm unable to build an .apk and install it on my phone without Google letting me, I'm moving to Huawei.

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#24

Post by skybrian » Thu, Jul 02, 2026, 6:57 AM UTC

I understand not being happy about what Google is doing, but it seems like F-droid can’t be trusted not to heavily spin things.

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#25

Post by transcriptase » Thu, Jul 02, 2026, 6:58 AM UTC

I think the most fun part with Google is that if some wayward algorithm decides it doesn’t like you, along with nuking your app and developer account it will probably nuke your 20 year old gmail, your kids Google Drive accounts, your wife’s YouTube premium, the Adsense account of some company you worked for in 2008, and disable your Nest cameras.

And you’ll never reach a human to sort it out.

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#26

Post by wolfi1 » Thu, Jul 02, 2026, 6:58 AM UTC

I'm still a little bit confused why the EU does not take action in this. This is definitely a monopolist overreach which has to be shutdown from the beginning

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#27

Post by darig » Thu, Jul 02, 2026, 6:59 AM UTC

khurs wrote: post #19

Android users need to switch to Graphene. Someone needs to create a Linux based mobile OS foundation - Google's domination is contrary to many large companies interests, and if Meta and many other such companies were approached, they may well donate large sums of money in their own strategic interests.

[dead]

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#28

Post by sebastiennight » Thu, Jul 02, 2026, 7:00 AM UTC

pimeys wrote: post #18

stavros wrote: post #14

I don't understand how this is legal in the EU under the DMA, does anyone know?

I already contacted the DMA authorities and complained how this has an effect on German diabetes communities and they replied that I am not the first one who approaches them on this and they are already investigating it. Google is just trying how far they can push this.

Do you have any pointers on how to find the correct authority and reach out? I'd like to inform my EU audience.

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#29

Post by linuxhansl » Thu, Jul 02, 2026, 7:01 AM UTC

What Google is doing is shameful. One of the promises of Android was being more open than the restrictive Apple ecosystem.

Now that they reached penetration they do the switch - under the guise of security.

Just let me do with my hardware what I want to do it. Let it be my responsibility to install whatever I want (and stop calling it "side-loading", as if I am doing something shady from the "side").

We need to resist this! Alas, from the broader response it seems that most people just do not care.

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#30

Post by m00dy » Thu, Jul 02, 2026, 7:01 AM UTC

transcriptase wrote: post #25

I think the most fun part with Google is that if some wayward algorithm decides it doesn’t like you, along with nuking your app and developer account it will probably nuke your 20 year old gmail, your kids Google Drive accounts, your wife’s YouTube premium, the Adsense account of some company you worked for in 2008, and disable your Nest cameras. And you’ll never reach a human to sort it out.

it's a nightmare.