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Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

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Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#381

Post by mrsssnake »

hollow-moe wrote: post #188
sambuccid wrote: post #130

It doesn't solve the current issue, but in case we don't manage to push back on this, some people might not know that there are various actual linux OSes for mobile: - SailfishOS: still linux based and seems fairly community inclusive, but the UI part of the stack is closed source. Is the only one officially allowed to run android apps, via emulation. Has existed for a very long time, it's lightweight and I think the…

And all are useless because you can't use your mandatory bank or gov id app.

Weird definition of useless.

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#382

Post by test6554 »

user43928 wrote: post #363
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.

To avoid this, I tried to close my Google Play Developer account. A decade ago I published a free app on it, which was online for half a year. It was to no avail. They will not close the account. I received only automated responses about bringing my old app into compliance with current policy, to then transfer it to another developer account. Only then would Google graciously allow me to close my Developer account. M…

Gotta move to the EU and sue based on right to be forgotten

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#383

Post by noosphr »

geocar wrote: post #252
RandyOrion wrote: post #227

Android developer verification program, together with recent reCAPTCHA push [1], and Manifest v2 force depreciation on chrome [2], make one thing crystal clear. When companies like GOOGLE talks about things in the name of "your security", it's a sign that they want you to sacrifice your own things, e.g., privacy, freedom, etc., for their own security. And if you trust them and show your consent by doing nothing, you…

Google has been attempting to license the right to write. There are a lot of poor people, mostly brown people, who do not have the ability to get one of these licenses. Some of them are feeding themselves with their ability to write, and Google is literally stealing that food from their mouths.

[flagged]

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#386

Post by bluebarbet »

preisschild wrote: post #115
AlexAltea wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

FWIW, I submitted an EU DMA complaint (Art 27 report) against Alphabet for unfair gatekeeping against third-party distributions like GrapheneOS via Play Integrity. More info: https://github.com/AlexAltea/blog/blob/master/posts/2026-06-... Convincing developers, especially bank and gov apps, is near impossible and won't scale well. Going after Alphabet for not meeting DMA obligations seems the easier path. Might not g…

> Convincing developers, especially bank and gov apps, is near impossible and won't scale well Not impossible though, my bank and govt eID app did do safetynet, but after enough users complained in both apps you can now skip a warning and use it without issues

The government and bank in question deserve to be named and praised.

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#387

Post by LtWorf »

LadyCailin wrote: post #98
kalx wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Problem is that all banks require a national centrale controlled service for login (BankID in Norway). And it is this service that I cannot get to work running GrapheneOS. It worked a couple of months ago, but not anymore. And all customer services and complaints are directed to your bank who 1) has no idea what i am talking about and 2) no control over BankID verification requirements.

I’ve nearly decided to switch back to the code brick instead of BankID app. It’s less convenient, but with the way things are going, I’m just not sure I want to exist in the digital world much longer.

99% of websites won't work with that one.

source: I eventually got bankid on the phone in late 2025

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#388

Post by qilo »

artisinal wrote: post #221
devsda wrote: post #185

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What happens if you "accidentally" become persona non grata with both Google and Apple? If you want to participate in the society, you will forever have to resort to shady tactics. Shady can be defined something as arbitrary as using GrapheneOS. A temporary workaround like using alternatives like GrapheneOS for those affected will only delay the inevitable but it doesn't stop it at all.

iOS can be used without an account. iPhones can be acquired outside of Apple. The EU has the alternative App Store option that doesn’t require an Apple account.

You can't install anything without an Apple account. Just tried installing altstore.io to repeat my previous unsuccessful attempt.

Only users based in Brazil, Japan, or the European Union are able to install apps through alternative app distribution. The country or region of your *Apple Account* must be set to one of those countries or regions, and you must physically be located there. [0]

UPDATE: Also tried to install onside.io. No luck. The same popup:

Cannot Install App: You are not eligible to install apps from "onside.io".

[0] https://support.apple.com/en-us/117767 https://support.apple.com/en-us/118110

Re: Android Developer Verification: Threat masquerading as protection

#390

Post by int_19h »

zeumo wrote: post #197
cryptonym wrote: post #174

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's their interest in you building side-loaded apps instead of using their data hungry services?

They do also sell the data-hungry side-loaded app builder.

Sure, but the real profits to be had there, if any, are package deals with other megacorps, not hobbyists.
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