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Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

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Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#161
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 would say Ubuntu Touch + a Fairphone. Graphene is too reliant on Google.

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#163
post #133
post #26

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

They'd have had to start with Apple which is more locked down and has comparable market power. Apple fans (iirc like 30% of the voter population) already scream bloody murder when compatibility increases due to legislation and Apple pushes some marketing about how terrible this is We've accepted that OS vendors can do this for decades. I think that was our mistake: relying on Google as the only available vendor. We c…

They did? There is the whole "alternative app stores" kerfuffle going on right now between Apple and the EU.

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I keep hoping for something more radical like Jolla and SailfishOS taking off or postmarketOS becoming a true viable alternative but as things are looking like now there's a better chance we'll ditch phones altogether in 10 years when smart glasses will replace them instead.

Honestly don't think that would be so terrible, with how bad and locked down the mobile ecosystem has gotten. Rolling the dice on a new technology could wind up being much more favorable.

What /new/ technology? The basically same platforms. Just smaller phones with more cameras recording everybody without consent.

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#166
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.

> Android users need to switch to Graphene. Doesn't GrapheneOS supports only Google Pixel smartphones now? For most of the users, that would mean changing their phones beforehand. And if we're talking about common people (especially not in US), it's not even everyone who can afford that. Moreover, in my opinion, by buying Google phones you're feeding Google, and I, personally, would like to avoid that.

Yes but they have signed up with Motorola so that is changing

https://www.androidauthority.com/grapheneos-motorola-partner...

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We experienced this with Anthropic, not the same blast radius obviously, but out of nowhere account was terminated. No support available. It was via someone’s 30+ year old classmate via LinkedIn the account got reinstated. As a counterpoint to the right to the repair there should be a right to recover.

There was a more direct case where someone’s child had been interacting with Gemini inappropriately resulting in Google nuking the entire families Google accounts.

I still remember how uploading photos of man's own child created the catastrophic chain of events.

Kicker? The photos were requested by a doctor.

Ref: https://www.koffellaw.com/blog/google-ai-technology-flags-da...

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#168
post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is worse than Apple. With Apple you knew where you stood day 1.

Ah so the Do No Evil wasn't serious after all?! /s

"Don't be evil" would be some evil company's motto in like Lego Movie 3

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#169

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 resis…

AFAIK you can still install any random APK but the process will require enabling developer mode and one time 24 hour wait period. But the problem is many stupid Apps check that developer mode is on and refuse to work.

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#170
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 get it, but it really sucks that Graphene only works on Pixel hardware. I switched to Samsung with my last phone.

Korean manufacturers are even worse when it comes to privacy violations.

I use a Samsung too. The bloat, dark patterns and enshitification with every update are even worse.

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